African heads of state have been arriving in the West African state of Burkina Faso for the annual Organisation of African Unity summit which begins on Monday.

The capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, a relatively small city on the southern fringes of the Sahara desert, is putting on its best appearance for the summit.

Hundreds of delegates and journalists are attending the OAU meeting and having a considerable impact on the city.

Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso waves on arrival

When I last visited Ouagadougou 15 years ago it was little more than a big village with few tarred roads and only a couple of good standard hotels.

The thousands of small motorbikes that earned it the nickname moped city kicked up clouds of dust which enveloped the rather shabby buildings along the main street.

Today that same street has been transformed into a smart highway, lined with hotels, banks and mosques.

In recent years, cotton production has been doing well in Burkina Faso, but the main reason for the transformation of the capital, is the influx of money from foreign visitors.

In February, Ouagadougou hosted the African nations' football cup when thousands of players and fans invaded the city and kick-started the economy by spending money in newly-built hotels and hiring taxis.

Flags and bunting are this week decorating the new buildings, all adding to the warm welcome Burkina Faso wants to give to the OAU delegates.

Of course, the politics being discussed at the OAU summit are not as popular among the residents of Ouagadougou as the soccer competition was.

But curious citizens have come out on to the freshly swept streets to catch a glimpse of the visiting presidents and taxi companies are again doing a roaring trade.

One taxi owner, folding his arms across his generous stomach, smiled and told me, oh, yes, we're very happy to welcome the foreign visitors.