corporate sponsors
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background
The businesses that had been most closely involved with the Commission for Africa (CFA) – as part of the CFA “Business Contact Group” – were clear about two points. First, the need to maintain the momentum on Africa within the business and policy communities. And second, to move from discussion and promises to action. BAA was launched with the support of 6 corporate sponsors, who were represented on the original “Oversight Group” (the decision making body of BAA):
The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) was and continues to be the largest sponsor of BAA – providing in-kind support in the form of staff time and use of their office facilities. IBLF also has a seat on the Oversight Group. The UK Government was also a sponsor from BAA’s inception, in the form of financial support from the Department for International Development (DFID) and in-kind staff support from the Joint International Unit of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). These departments were also represented on the Oversight Group. To date, over 150 business, business organizations, multilateral and bilateral donors, government departments, NGOs and academics have joined this effort. 80% are from the business sector - from small businesses to large multinational corporations, from national chambers of commerce to international business organisations. And every single one of our members has an extensive knowledge of and deep commitment to Africa. The current sponsors and Oversight Group members of BAA are:
Microsoft was also a sponsor for the first six months of 2006. Inspiris provides the programme management and adminstrative framework for Business Action for Africa. |
"I am delighted to welcome the establishment of Business Action for Africa...a new platform for private sector co-operation on Africa...providing government - both here in the industrialised world and within Africa - with a new channel to foster vigorous private sector engagement."
Tony Blair,
Former UK Prime Minister,
July 2005
"Business Action for Africa is an opportunity for a diverse set of businesses with shared objectives for Africa to come together to speak with one voice, and act with one purpose - to showcase and spread good business practice, share ideas and work together for greater impact."
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman, Anglo American.
July 2005
"Business Action for Africa really does the business for business; it is very well run; it hits the spot in terms of the information that we need, and it gives us a ready made platform for dialogue and for a quick meeting if we want one on a particular subject [...] [BAA] is getting us to that point where we move from just talking to doing things together".
Ann Grant, Vice-President, Standard Chartered Bank, July 2006
“The UK will work closely with organisations like Business Action for Africa…to identify ways to support development of the private sector and employment”
UK Government’s 2006 White Paper on International Development
"BAA is a highly promising outcome from 2005 and it is crucial that DFID continues its support for the forum. In conjunction with support from BAA’s growing corporate membership, DFID should assess current funding levels with regard to ensuring that BAA can continue to expand as a crucial partnership for PSD".
House of Commons International Development Committee, Report on Private Sector Development, 2006