Policy experts are calling on African leaders to increasingly use researchers in the formulation of business-friendly regulation to attract more investors. A close working relationship among investment authorities, business and civil society leaders would build a momentum for reform, improving the ranking of African economies in the Doing Business report. “The Millennium Development Goal target of increasing the continent’s participation in the global arena to three per cent implies governments must work closely with business and policy think tanks in coming up with desirable reforms,” said George Njenga, deputy Vice Chancellor of Strathmore University. Involvement of researchers in drafting sound regulatory framework for business is a key highlight of a two –day conference that the university is hosting in Nairobi in partnership with Investment Climate and Business Environment Research Fund and International Development Research Centre (IDRC). “Continued reforms to promote growth of Small Medium and Enterprises are critical if Africa is to diversify its economy and take its people out of poverty,” says Sunday Khan, head of the Investment Climate and Business Environment Research Fund.In Kenya, the research-backed policies will stir up entrepreneurship, boost private investment, regional integration and stimulate infrastructure investment, said Dr Njenga. Agencies
