LAGOS, Dec 6 (AFP) - A US congressional delegation has arrived in Nigeria at the start of a mission to evaluate political and economic reforms in three sub-Saharan countries, the US embassy here said Monday.

The legislators, who arrived Nigeria on Sunday, are to meet President Olusegun Obasanjo, Foreign Minister Sule Lamido, legislators and human rights activists before leaving on Tuesday for Zimbabwe, an embassy official said.

The delegation, which will also visit South Africa, is led by House minority leader Richard Gephardt and includes Donald Payne of New Jersey, former head of the Congressional Black Caucus, the official said.

The lawmakers will also meet business leaders during their 10-day visit to the three African countries.

Highlights of the trip will include the dedication of a US-funded HIV/AIDS counselling and testing centre in Hwange, Zimbabwe, and the signing of an Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) agreement in Abuja, Nigeria, the official said.

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