Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe – CIPE partner the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) facilitated a one-day strategic planning workshop for the Women Alliance of Business Associations of Zimbabwe (WABAZ) in Nyanga. The strategic planning workshop was led by ZNCC consultant Anne Madzara for representatives from 15 Zimbabwe women’s associations and focused on discussing a previously completed draft strategic plan. The participants provided input and made specific recommendations that will be incorporated into the final document.

Cote d’Ivoire – CIPE consultant Yao Ronsard conducted a working session with CIPE partner the Federation des Artisans de Cote d’Ivoire (FEDACI), one of Cote d’Ivoire’s largest and most representative business associations, whose members are predominantly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The session focused on effective advocacy techniques for reforming business registration regulations.

Kenya – Two coalitions led by CIPE partner the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) held meetings with local government officials to promote policy reforms in their communities. In Kisumu, the private sector met with District Commissioner Willy Cheboi to discuss security concerns and rising crime. As a result of this meeting and ongoing public-private dialogue, the private sector will provide the police with two unmarked vehicles to assist the police in their efforts to reduce crime.

Kenya – Two coalitions led by CIPE partner the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) held meetings with local government officials to promote policy reforms in their communities. In Kisumu, the private sector met with District Commissioner Willy Cheboi to discuss security concerns and rising crime. As a result of this meeting and ongoing public-private dialogue, the private sector will provide the police with two unmarked vehicles to assist the police in their efforts to reduce crime.

Ethiopia – CIPE consultants Henock Assefa and Hailemelekot Asfaw conducted two focus groups with 12 business people from construction, information technology, advertising, consulting, and manufacturing sectors. The participants are not currently members of a chamber of commerce, and the consultants’ questions sought to understand their needs with regards to advocacy and consulting services.

Cote d’Ivoire – CIPE consultant Haroune Sidatt conducted diagnostic assessments of business membership associations for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Abidjan as part of a CIPE program to strengthen the organizational capacity of SME-focused business associations to advocate for policy reform. The assessment focuses on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each association’s organizational structure, capacity, membership development, member services, and governance.

Senegal – CIPE partner l’Union Nationale des Commercants et Industriels du Senegal (UNACOIS), conducted a two-day regional forum for its members in the northern region of Senegal. This is the final of four regional forums that UNACOIS organized across the country. The objective was to discuss policy issues that create a challenging business environment in each region, and to prioritize such issues for eventual advocacy initiatives on economic policy reforms.

MENA Senior Program Officer Greg Simpson publishes article in Real Clear World, CIPE conducts five-day training for women’s business associations in Zimbabwe, CIPE releases latest version of OverseasREPORT

Ghana – CIPE partner the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) held a two day capacity building workshop in Accra entitled “Making Ghana’s Oil and Gas Resources Count.” The aim of the workshop was to enhance the capacity of Ghana’s Public Interest Accountability Committee (PIAC) to effectively oversee the country’s oil and gas revenue management. The workshop also aimed to raise awareness about current legal, regulatory, and fiscal shortcomings in Ghana’s oil and gas revenue management. CIPE consultant Mr.