In quotes: Reaction to G8 deal

African politicians, aid agencies and other groups react to the agreement reached by the eight richest countries to write off the debts of some of the poorest nations.

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Ugandan Information Minister James Nsaba Buturo

We greatly appreciate the initiative. It is a challenge for us to use the money we have been paying on debts to be now used to better the lives of our people.

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Tanzania's central bank governor, Daudi Balali

We are receiving the news with a lot of hope for our people. We can expand health and education services with this relief. We will also be able to expand our infrastructure.

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Ethiopia's Finance and Economic Development Minister, Sofian Ahmed

Initially, I am very happy and encouraged by this decision as Ethiopia is going to be one of the beneficiaries.

If it is going to be without pre-conditions and an immediate cancellation as (British Chancellor of the Exchequer) Gordon Brown is advocating, it is really encouraging.

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Mozambique's Prime Minister, Luisa Diogo

This is an important decision that means we can have more money saved from debt servicing being directed to education, health, infrastructure and social sectors.

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Zambian Finance Minister Ng'Andu Magande

Debt cancellation will provide us with relief on the budget. It will give us enough money to spend in education, health and other social sectors.

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Rwandan Finance Ministry's Secretary-General, Claver Gatete

This money that is now being relieved will go towards private sector investments.

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Kenya's Planning and National Development Minister, Peter Anyang Nyongo

Those faithful in servicing their debt like Kenya are being ignored while HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) who have failed to service the debt are getting more attention. This is not good for Africa.

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Malawi's Treasury Secretary, Milton Kutengule

A decision to cancel debt would help us reduce poverty but, overall, it cannot work if African governments do not adhere to fiscal discipline, a critical phase in the management of a country's resources.

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South African President Thabo Mbeki's spokesman, Bheki Khumalo

We are really encouraged by this decision and want to thank the British government and all the countries involved in this agreement. It will go a long way to enriching the African continent.

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Rock star and debt relief campaigner Bono

There are only 18 countries benefiting at this stage because they have gone through a strict process of conditionality. If the other countries are prepared to do the same, they will also benefit.

I've been working on this for seven years and it's very exciting. This is a very big night right now.

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South African Institute of International Affairs director, Greg Mills

One doesn't want to be too cynical but ... they [the G8] are searching for successes and Africa would do well to not see any such deals as panaceas for development.

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Action Aid UK spokeswoman Romilly Greenhill

This is very good news for the 18 poor countries that are immediately getting debt relief, but there are many poor countries that won't be eligible and of course it's done nothing to commit additional aid.

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Cafod policy analyst Henry Northover

This has been like pulling teeth. This is a small amount of additional money for the world's poorest countries from the world's richest, and it's been an enormous political and campaigning effort to get this far. OK, we've got deal here as far as the debt relief for those eligible countries, but we need much more.

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Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon

The Commonwealth has been advocating root and branch debt relief for highly indebted poor countries for 20 years and we are pleased that others have taken forward our earlier work.

We are looking for similar outcomes on trade justice and aid for developing countries in order to truly make poverty history.