Rwandan President Paul Kagame is defending China's investments inAfrica, saying the Chinese are developing the continent while Westerncompanies spread pollution.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame (file)
In an interview with the Germannewspaper Handelsblatt published Monday, Mr. Kagame said China givesAfrican countries the investment they need, helping to buildinfrastructure and roads.

He said in contrast, Western firmshave "polluted Africa to a large extent." He specifically mentionedthe dumping of toxic waste in Ivory Coast three years ago, and accusedEuropean companies of dumping garbage in Somalia.

China haspoured tens of billions of dollars into Africa over the past decade, asit seeks raw materials and markets for its economy.

Some humanrights groups say Beijing has ignored human rights issues in dealingwith countries like Sudan, a major Chinese oil supplier.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region.

Inthe interview, the Rwandan president said he would prefer Westerncountries to invest in Africa rather than handing out development aid.

Mr. Kagame said there is a need for aid, but said it should be used to enable trade and build up companies.

Chinese Investment

China, the world's second-largest consumer of oil, is apparently also seeking petroleum investments in the West Africannations of Ghana and Guinea to help fuel its fast-growing economy.

The WallStreet Journal quotes unnamed sources who say the China National OffshoreOil Corporation is in talks with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporationover a bid to rival a multi-billion dollar offer placed by Exxon.

Ghana will become West Africa's newest oil exporter when output begins at a field discovered in 2007.

TheFinancial Times reports Guinea's government is in talks with the ChinaInternational Fund on oil and mineral deals that could be worthbillions of dollars.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.