Make Poverty History was enormously successful in getting Africa on the agenda of politicians and the general public.  But it was clear to us that the messages were often missing the mark.  Africa is a diverse continent, alive with opportunity and potential, contrary to the commonly communicated image of a homogenous continent of war, famine and poverty.  African’s do not want charity – they want opportunity – to grow their businesses and to trade.  In a survey of 60,000 poor people in 2000, the vast majority saw self-employment, starting a business, or getting a job as offering the best prospects, by far, for escaping poverty.  In our view, the importance of the private sector in making poverty history is all too often missed.

 

That is why we have campaigned collectively to the G8, calling on them to meet their aid commitments, but as part of this to invest in the conditions needed to stimulate the private sector, domestic and foreign, large and small.  32 leaders from the business world signed a joint letter to Chancellor Merkel in advance of the G8. 

It is also why we have campaigned on a fair deal on Doha – clearly a top priority for all those committed to Africa’s success.  Specifically, an end to trade-distorting agricultural subsidies on products of interest to Africa; expanded market access for African countries; substantial investment in Africa’s capacity to trade, including through a significant increase in Aid for Trade; and, on the part of African governments, active promotion of intra-African trade and regional integration, including by enhancing customs administration.  In June, Business Action for Africa, the Commonwealth Business Council, the US Corporate Council on Africa and CIAN, the French-Africa business group, sent a joint business statement to the G4 – the US, the EU, India and Brazil – urging them to drive progress towards a deal.

 

We have similarly played an important role at the national level - facilitating dialogue with DFID here in the UK, and increasingly engaging at the national level within Africa – most recently on customs administration reform in East Africa. 

 

Importantly, Business Action for Africa has emerged as a credible voice at the international and national levels.  In a survey of our African members and other Africa stakeholders, conducted for us by the Commonwealth Business Council, we found that advocacy was identified by close to half of all respondents as the single most important task for Business Action for Africa.  Increasingly, more of our advocacy work is happening at the national level.  Through a partnership with the World Bank’s Doing Business Report, we will engage in targeted advocacy in support of the strong country performers set to be highlighted in the next report, due out in September.  We will of course be able to use the data to underpin our country level advocacy, in terms of what more needs to be done.