Global nations must give Africa support to build its own domestic economies, a former Irish prime minister has said ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Bertie Ahern, who served as Taoiseach, or prime minister, between 1997 and 2008, told CGTN that China had set an example by writing off debt and finding ways to reduce interest payments for African nations.

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"I think the big issues now going forward are the development of the economy and to try to give African countries the wherewithal and the resources to be able to build their own indigenous economy," Ahern said.

"And I think there's no doubt about it that the Forum on China-Africa relations is doing that."

The 8th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC opened in Dakar, Senegal with a speech by China's President Xi Jinping.

Ties between China and many African countries have been strengthened by the coronavirus pandemic, during which vaccines, supplies and experts have traveled from China to support local efforts against the virus. A billion more vaccine doses over the next year were pledged by Xi at the event today.