MALVERN reggae star Ben Okafor will help highlight the plight of his fellow Africans with two concerts in Edinburgh.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on the Scottish capital tomorrow (Saturday) to attend Christian Aid's Make Poverty History rally.

The aim of the event is to lobby world leaders attending the G8 summit, which starts on Wednesday, to double aid to Africa, drop debt and make trade laws fair.

Nigerian-born Ben will perform at concerts organised by the charity tonight (Friday) and tomorrow.

Live 8 concerts, organised by rock star Bob Geldof, take place around the world on Wednesday.

The lack of African artists invited to perform has proved a controversial point, with many criticising Geldof's decision to ask only the biggest-selling artists.

Ben said that while the concerts would help raise important issues, it was a shame so few African musicians were involved.

"Live 8 will highlight something that's been going on for a long time in various areas," he said. "But it's important, if people are speaking on behalf of Africa, that they make sure that there are Africans speaking there for themselves."

Ben said he hoped local people would attend the rally in Edinburgh.

"What we're trying to do is get as many voices together as possible and address the leaders of the G8 countries to say, this is something we've been talking about to you for years and we need you to listen," he said.

Ben's own music was shaped by his experiences as a boy soldier in his native Nigeria as his country was ripped apart by civil war.

Ben moved to Europe in the 1980s, eventually settling in Malvern. He has released several albums, working with key figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and has received praise from U2's Bono.