Zim At World Bank Indaba

Zimbabwe recently participated at the World Bank Group's Ease of Doing Business Initiative 2016 conference in Nairobi where the need for reforming countries to focus on reform impact on the ground and to systematically associate private sector in the reform design process to facilitate their implementation was emphasised.

The topic for the conference was "Digitising Government Business" and allowed participants to discuss how ICT support governments deliver services faster and more efficiently to citizens and businesses in an effort to accelerate reforms.

Ambassador Mary Mubi, Senior Principal Director, Office of the President coordinating the Ease of Doing Business reforms said: "Zimbabwe has been focusing on some of the key benchmarks to increase participation of our entrepreneurs in growing the economy and in increasing Foreign Direct Investment to the country." She added; "The EDBI Conference is a useful platform to share lessons and gather good examples from many parts of Africa where we can learn more to improve our business environment and ultimately the standards of living of our populations."

Debates during the conference notably highlighted the need for reforming countries to focus on reform impact on the ground and to systematically associate private sector in the reform design process to facilitate their implementation. 

Zim At World Bank Indaba

Participants also identified the urgent need for Africa's governments to improve access to electricity and to progress on regional integration in order to enable enterprise growth. Last, participants unanimously recognized the catalyzing effect of the Doing Business report on the business growth in the region, and highlighted the importance of systematic communications to inform on reform, secure stakeholder buy-in and facilitate adoption.

Oumar Seydi, IFC Regional Director, East and Southern Africa, said: "Africa's momentum on business reforms is historically high. Through the EDBI, World Bank Group helps to sustain this reform momentum, and to allow reforming countries to close the gap with global best practice. By reforming their business environments, countries improve their competitiveness, attract more investments and create jobs".

Sub-Saharan Africa's performance in the Doing Business report has been steadily improving. In the Doing Business 2016 report, the region boasted about 30 percent of the 231 reforms implemented worldwide, making it the most reforming region in the world. 5 Sub Saharan countries counted among the global top 10 reformers.

For Hon. Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury in Kenya: "Our country highly welcomes the opportunity offered by the Ease of Doing Business Initiative conference to learn from other reforming countries while showcasing the strong reform agenda implemented here in Kenya. In Kenya, ICT has acted as a bridge to accelerate and sustain reforms that allow our Government to offer more efficient services to businesses and citizens," he added.