Photo: Graeme Williams/MediaClubSouthAfrica

The diaspora fund aims to improve Africa's infrastructure needs.

Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, and Namibia's Sam Nujoma are billed to speak at the ongoing Global African Diaspora Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The former Presidents, our Correspondent gathered, will be speaking on the challenges being faced by the African Continent among others global issues.

Meanwhile, delegates attending the first Global African Diaspora Summit have started arriving at the Sandton Convention Centre, where an atmosphere of togetherness and pride can be felt.

Apart from Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his South African and Namibian counterparts who have already arrived for the event, about 64 Heads of State and Government and representatives from the Diaspora are expected to converge at the venue where they will discuss how best to harness skills and energies within Africa and abroad, for the social and economic development of Africa.

The summit, which is collaboration between the African Union and the South African government, coincides with Africa Day - a day set aside to reflect on the proud achievements for the African continent and its infinite possibilities.

Africa Day is held on 25 May each year and is used to pay tribute to the continent's rich heritage, diverse languages, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds that make up its residents.

A ministerial meeting held on Wednesday has already set the tone for the summit. The meeting developed a draft Declaration which will be considered during the summit.

The Declaration comprises, among other things, a program of action, an implementation programme, follow-up mechanisms and priority legacy and priority projects.

The ministers underscored the need for continuous consultation between Africa and the Diaspora, building of regional networks in other parts of the world, monitoring and evaluation mechanism for assessing progress and accelerating the pace of achievements in the different areas.

They also emphasised the need to establish political criteria that will facilitate the desire to ensure effective participation of the Diaspora in the African Union.

Later, the delegates will be treated to a concert, where the likes of Salif Keita will perform to celebrate Africa Day.