In Africa, governments, the organised private sector, civil society and academia are increasingly accepting the Nepad concept and strategies as relevant to the continent's future. I briefly review the promise of Nepad. Like all prospects or promises, the end result is mostly unknown.

The first promise is that Nepad is real, "alive" and "well". As a development initiative conceived by Africans, its success is largely dependent on the long-term commitment of Africans.

The second promise is that Nepad is focusing on the long haul. Nepad documents posit long-term planning, strategies and action plans, including the focus on the 2015 United Nations millennium goals.

The third promise is that Nepad's leadership, from political to technical, is organised around deliverables and outcomes.

Fourth, the staff of Nepad's secretariat are highly trained and seasoned in their fields. Nepad has not become a dumping ground for politicians out of favour in their countries or those seeking cozy retirement.

Fifth, the evident, relentless focus of Nepad on benchmarks, best practices and lessons learned in international development is encouraging.

Sixth, perhaps one of the best signs of Nepad's promise, is recognition by its technical and managerial staff that they are only a part of the solution to Africa's renewal. Nepad documents and statements by its leaders cede expertise and core competencies to crucial public and private sector stakeholders, continental and international. The role of key organs of the African Union, Economic Commission for Africa, and the organised private sector in key initiatives is recognised and spelt out in official documents.

Seventh is the continued strong support of the host government, SA, and the other originators of Nepad, Nigeria, Senegal and Algeria.

And finally, Nepad leaders recognise the critical role of Africans in the diaspora and Friends of Africa in providing technical and financial support for its initiatives.

Is Nepad the El Dorado or Santa Claus of Africa? Clearly not. Nepad is an idea, a promise that will require years of diligent, focused effort and action.

Also, Nepad's flagship initiative, the peer review programme, is yet to become operational. The jury is also still out on the regional integration thrust of Nepad or multination infrastructure projects' feasibility. The ultimate relationship between Nepad and multilateral institutions and governments of industrialised countries will become clearer only with time. And Nepad's role in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the continent is still evolving.

The relevance of Nepad among the future of leaders of Africa is up in the air. Will the average African youth groaning under the governance challenges of his/her political elite, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, poverty and environmental degradation accept Nepad as a strong lever for sustainable development in the continent?

To be successful, Nepad needs support on the streets, in corporate offices, research laboratories, factories, farmlands, government buildings and civil society caucuses of Africa.