Africa: Kenya, Ghana Top List of 'Doing Business' Reformers

According to a new report by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Kenya and Ghana are ranked among the top 10 business reformers worldwide. Says the report, "These changes introduced by Kenya have streamlined business start-up and cut both the time and cost of getting building permits. The programme will eventually eliminate or simplify at least 900 or more of the country's 1,300 licenses." As someone who imports from these two countries along with 5 others in Africa I would concur that they are among the easiest from an export perspective. The general feeling in these countries is one of commerce rather than "aid."

Interestingly, the report also finds that good rankings on the ease of doing business are associated with higher percentages of women among entrepreneurs and employees. "The benefits of regulatory reform are especially large for women," said Sylvia Solf, one of the authors of the report. "Women often face regulations that may be designed to protect them but that instead force them into the informal sector. There, women have little job security and few social benefits," she says.

It's nice to see some positive headlines for African business!