Independent research & practical ideas for global prosperity

Africa’s Private Sector: What’s Wrong with the Business Environment and What to Do About It

Mar 26, 2009

Center for Global Development presents a book launch and discussion of
Africa's Private Sector: What's Wrong with the Business Environment and What to Do About It

Watch the video of the event

featuring
Vijaya Ramachandran
Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development

With remarks by
The Honorable James A. Harmon
Chairman, Harmon and Company, LLC

and
Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue
Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania

Moderated by
Todd Moss
Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development

Thursday, March 26, 2009
4:30pm—6:00pm
Reception to follow

at
Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics
C. Fred Bergsten Conference Center
1750 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

Why is the private sector yet to take off in much of sub-Saharan Africa? In Africa’s Private Sector, Vijaya Ramachandran and her co-authors identify the biggest obstacles: inadequate infrastructure (especially unreliable electricity and crumbling roads) and burdensome regulations. The authors suggest investing in infrastructure and reforming regulations to lower the cost of doing business, and increasing the access to education for would-be entrepreneurs to help foster the emergence of a broader-based business class that crosses ethnic divides. Join us for a discussion of how foreign donors can help African businesses by supporting better roads and renewable energy systems.

REGISTER ONLINE

Complimentary copies of Africa’s Private Sector will be provided.