Prime Minister Jean Chretien told African business leaders seeking foreign investment and debt relief to work on fighting corruption within their countries' governments.

Chretien said foreign investors were being deterred from setting up shop in the continent by the frequent failure in Africa to enforce laws, protect human rights and hold fair elections.

"You have to create a climate that's good for investment," Chretien told the Commonwealth Business Forum in Nigeria Thursday. "There's nothing more nervous than a million dollars.

"If they feel that honesty is there, that if there is a conflict there will be an honest system of justice, that the decisions of the court will be implemented, that human rights will be protected, that elections will be fair, nervousness will disappear."

In the question and answer period after his speech, Chretien also took aim at Nigeria, the host of the Commonwealth summit, suggesting its internal corruption is hindering foreign investment. He told the leaders they need the political will in "order to re-address a country sometimes."

And he called for African countries to do more to end wars on the continent. "Stop these bloody conflicts that you have too often in some parts," he said.

"Perhaps I'm being a bit blunt, but I don't have to get elected here," the outgoing prime minister added.

Chretien has made Africa one of his top priorities since the 2002 Group of Eight summit in Kananaskis, Alta. He pushed for world leaders to accept an African initiative, called the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

This summit, in the capital of Abuja, is to be Chretien's last foreign trip as prime minister.

Earlier, Chretien told reporters during a stop in Tenerife, Canary Islands, it is his duty as prime minister to attend the Commonwealth Summit and he is doing so as a favour to his successor, Paul Martin.

"We needed a prime minister for this meeting and it is my duty to be here," Chretien said. "I'm rendering a service to Mr. Martin."

The Queen will open the summit of more than 50 world leaders on Friday, and has already arrived in Nigeria for her first visit since 1956.

One Commonwealth member, Zimbabwe, has not been extended an invitation. President Robert Mugabe reacted by threatening to pull his country out of the group completely.

Zimbabwe, which has been suspended for human rights abuses and allegations of vote rigging, is expected to be high on the agenda at the meeting. Britain and Australia led the anti-Mugabe camp, while South Africa and Nigeria are seeking a softer line.

Canada would like to see the Commonwealth set up a committee to study Zimbabwe's progress and report back to the leaders in six months or a year.