ICF Comparative Advantages

ICF is the only pan-African organisation based in Africa that is explicitly and exclusively focused on improving the continent’s investment climate. ICF does not seek to compete with other organisations, instead striving to ensure projects complement existing initiatives and fill identified gaps.

The comparative advantages of ICF are:


Restricted life span
ICF is a facility to catalyse change and, as such, is committed to making a substantial and lasting impact in just seven years of operation. Unlike other organisations, ICF’s ultimate aim is to become obsolete, leaving governments to implement reforms without the support of a facilitator.

Multiplier effect
ICF shares key learnings from completed and ongoing projects with other governments, corporates and development partners to multiply the pace and effectiveness of interventions across the continent.

Focus on fundamentals
ICF’s projects deliver practical solutions to the basic fundamentals that hamper the growth of businesses, especially SMEs. By improving the basics on which these smaller businesses depend, ICF hopes to deliver profound long-term dividends for the economy.

Sustainable reforms
All ICF projects are co-funded and implemented in partnership with the host government and the private sector to ensure reforms are sustainable long-term.

Rapid intervention
ICF responds quickly to funding requests. The entire process from project application to agreement generally takes fewer than six months. Projects focus on delivering practical, results-oriented solutions in as short a time frame as possible.

Private sector involvement
ICF’s experience shows investment climate reforms are faster and more effective when the private sector is involved. ICF works with Africa’s business community to identify priority areas for intervention and to help secure government support for reform.

Measurement
ICF is committed to delivering tangible, measurable results. All projects are evaluated against pre-agreed targets and performance indicators.

ICF Project Activity