African leaders on Tuesday urged the G20 summit to give special consideration to the needs of the continent, as it struggles with falling growth rates and the fallout of the global financial crisis. President of the African Development Bank Donald Kaberuka described the economic outlook for Africa as "very gloomy," noting the difficulties of access to financial resources and a downward revision of growth projections.

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"Before the crisis, the  economy of our continent was making headway," he said, speaking at a meeting in Tunis of finance ministers and central bank governors of 35 African countries on the impact of the financial crisis.  Now, the most vulnerable countries "would have more difficulty maintaining their economic performance," he said, adding that rich countries should urgently kickstart the economy and restore confidence.

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He called for Saturday's summit of the world's richest nations and biggest emerging economies to take into account the interests of Africa, including the right to be heard "in instances where decisions are taken touching the whole of humanity.

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"Millions of poor people will wait to see if their interests are taken into consideration," he said. The need to respect development aid commitments and the fight against poverty were "at the centre of the concerns," he added.

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The meeting was jointly organised by the African Development Bank, the African Union and the United Nations' Economic Commission for Africa.

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African Union chief Jean Ping expressed criticism that Africa was mostly excluded from the G20 despite its importance for the "future of a continent and its 850 million inhabitants."  The European Union, represented by the Alain Joyandet, French Secretary of State for Cooperation and Francophony, told AFP he had come to the conference to "listen to Africa's message in order to pass it on to the G20."

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"It's a message of concern for the future," he said, adding that a conference on boosting African agriculture would be held in Paris on December 8-9.

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The head of the UN Economic Commission for Africa Abdoulie Janneh said he feared the "serious implications of the crisis in the short and medium term" for Africa. South Africa, the only country on the continent to be at the G20, should "express the voice of Africa in Washington."

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The meeting was due to wind up later Wednesday with a declaration reflecting "African's concern and its demand to be heard," according to a source.