What Works in Business Environment Reform in Sub-Sahran Africa and South Asia
The report provides a snapshot of 20 programmes in 15 countries.
Abstract
DFID Mozambique approached BERF on behalf of several interested Country Offices for assistance to research and collate the evidence and lessons learnt from DFID’s investments to date in business environment reform and investment climate in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia. The objectives were
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To provide evidence of what works and doesn’t work in business environment reform and investment climate reform based on DFID’s programmes in selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
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To answer a set of key questions identified by DFID such as (a) what are the absolute prerequisites to starting a BER/IC programme? (b) can BER/IC programmes be designed to suit varying levels of political commitment for reform? and (c) how can DFID help BER/IC reform sustain through election cycles?
The report provides a snapshot of current programming, including recently concluded projects and those that are still in the design phase — a total of 20 programmes in 15 countries. It crystallises the most important lessons learned by these programmes, drawing on 19 interviews with Country Offices and implementing agencies, as well as independent evaluations and DFID’s own monitoring documentation. The focus is on identifying practical strategies that have been used successfully to combat common challenges.
This Evidence and Learning Note provides lessons on what works in BER design and programming. It identifies the prerequisites for starting a BER programme, suggests approaches for designing programmes to suit varying levels of political commitment and provides a range of strategies to sustain reform through political transitions.
This research is part of the Business Environment for Economic Development programme.
Citation
Hetherington, D (2017) What Works in Business Environment Reform in Sub-Sahran Africa and South Asia, Business Environment Reform Facility
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