Search ICF website

Latest News

ICF activities continue to accelerate across the continent
10 May 2012 ICF’s activities continue to resonate powerfully across the continent.

ICF celebrates the completion of GAINDE Paperless Phase II Project in Senegal
17 Apr 2012 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) is proud to announce that the GAINDE Paperless Trade Phase II project has been completed.

ICF Videos

A number of ICF videos are available to download.
Please click here to play our latest videos.

ICF Project Application Form

Please click here to download a form to apply for project funding

Share this page

ICF Announces Project to Harmonise Commercial Laws in the East African Community

20th August 2009

Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda to benefit from improved access to financial services

The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) has today announced a project in partnership with the member states of the East African Community (EAC) to harmonise commercial laws within the region. By establishing a synchronised legal framework for all EAC partner states, the private sector will benefit from improved access to financial services. This will increase cross-border investments and bring the EAC another step closer to total economic integration.

The project is in partnership with the East African Community Secretariat (EACS) and will be implemented in two phases over a period of 12 to 15 months with the end goal of establishing a common legal system across Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The project will focus on harmonising key commercial laws in the region, prioritising those that support the implementation of the Customs Union, the establishment of a Common Market, and a common investment regime.

The project will build on the EAC’s continued efforts to improve the region’s investment climate by transforming the relationship between member states from one of mere co-operation to fully fledged integration. Success achieved to date includes the establishment of the Customs Union, which is expected to reach its threshold as a fully functional duty free region by January 2010.

The Secretary General of the EAC, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu said, "This project is yet another milestone in the EAC's integration process. It will create a harmonised legal regime in commercial laws supportive of the single market, in the offing, and generally leverage inflow of investments, regional and global".

The project’s first phase will comprise a review of all commercial laws currently operational in the EAC and the prioritisation of those to be harmonised. The second phase will entail the drafting of three legislations to be implemented by the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the Parliaments of EAC member states.

ICF CEO, Mr Omari Issa said: “With a population of 125 million, and a current GDP of US$55 billion, the East African Community is abound with investment potential. We are delighted to be building on our existing relationship with the Governments of the EAC to establish regional commercial laws, which will encourage cross-border trade and stimulate both domestic and international investment in the region.”

The new project will focus on creating a common structure amongst the EAC member states, and will focus on the following nine areas of commercial law:
– Banking laws
– Business transaction laws
– Finance and fiscal legislation
– Insurance and re-insurance legislation
– Investments
– Procurement and disposal of assets legislation
– Monetary legislation
– Standardisation, quality assurance and metrology legislations
– Trading law

ICF is also working on two additional projects in partnership with the EAC. The first project - Business Action for Improving Customs Administration in Africa (BAFICAA) - created a productive dialogue between business, EAC and customs authorities in East Africa, resulting in recommendations for customs improvements driven by real business needs. ICF is also providing support to the EAC to develop a policy against counterfeiting and piracy and recommendations on appropriate legislation to counteract the problem. ICF has completed scoping work in all five member countries to determine the extent of the problem and the demand from business and governments for new policies.

ICF is the only pan-African body, based in Africa, explicitly and exclusively focused on improving the continent's investment climate. It works with receptive African governments to systematically remove constraints to investment in order to make the continent an even better place to do business. ICF is currently active in Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Lesotho, Liberia, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia, and has a number of pan-African projects and initiatives.

2012 News

ICF activities continue to accelerate across the continent
10 May 2012 ICF’s activities continue to resonate powerfully across the continent.

Burkina Faso to establish a one-stop-shop for construction permit provision
12 Mar 2012 ICF has partnered up with the Government of Burkina Faso to establish a one-stop-shop for construction permit provision, significantly streamlining procedures.

Mauritius: Invitation for Expression of Interest for the supply & implementation of an eRegistry System
9 Mar 2012 The Registrar-General’s Department intends to implement the Mauritius eRegistry Project (MeRP) to scale up to eServices by harnessing the latest technologies and solutions.

Tanzania to modernise its Customs Administration
27 Feb 2012 The Customs and Excise Department (CED) of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has partnered with the Investment Climate Facility (ICF) to modernise Tanzania’s customs administration.

Rwanda Revenue Authority Going Electronic
17 Feb 2012 The Rwanda Revenue Authority is set to launch an online tax filing and payment system.

Mauritius to Modernise the Registrar of Companies
20 Jan 2012 The Government of Mauritius is set to modernise the Registrar of Companies.

Mali Improves Tax Dispute Resolution
6 Jan 2012 The Government of Mali, in partnership with the Investment Climate Facility for Africa, has succeeded in improving the way tax disputes are resolved in the West African nation.

2011 News

Burkina Faso to Modernize its Customs Administration
19 Dec 2011 The Government of Burkina Faso has partnered with ICF to modernise its customs administration.

Ethiopian Commodity Exchange Continues to Innovate – Introducing Online Trading to Benefit Farmers, Traders and Exporters
5 Dec 2011 ICF is supporting the modernization of the Ethiopian commodity trading platform.

DIGITALISING ZAMBIA'S JUDICIARY
23 Nov 2011 With ICF support, the government of Zambia now has 3 courts in Lusaka with modern real time digital court recording and case management systems.

Journalist Training from the Tanzania Revenue Authority
17 Nov 2011 The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) ran a journalist training seminar in Dar es Salaam last week to build the capacity of journalists on the ongoing reforms in the TRA Customs and Excise Department.

Capacity Building for Rwanda's Young Engineers
9 Nov 2011 The Rwanda Energy Project aims at building capacity in the Energy Sector.

ICF Announces its new Trustee Wolfgang Kroh
2 Nov 2011 Wolfgang Kroh has a professional background in development finance.

ICF Announces its new Trustee Linah Mohohlo
27 Oct 2011 Mrs Mohohlo has worked for the Bank of Botswana since the mid 1970's and was appointed Governor in 1999.

Tanzanian Infrastructure
24 Oct 2011 The Government of Tanzania is continuing its efforts to improve the country’s investment climate.

Rwanda Land Registration
18 Oct 2011 The Government of Rwanda, with ICF support, has created a cost effective, efficient titling system allowing rapid registration of land.

Burkina Faso – Business Registration
4 Oct 2011 In Burkina Faso, small businesses are now able to formalise their operations in as little as 3 days rather than 18 days.

Rwanda makes strides to improve capacity of energy sector
28 Aug 2011 ICF Transaction Advice and Capacity Building Project supports the Government of Rwanda by working hand in hand with the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) to build the capacity of the energy sector.

Working to Improve the Movement of Goods and Services Across Borders
22 Aug 2011 The Tanzania Police Force and ICF are working together to improve the movement and security of goods and services.

Cape Verde – A beaming example for other African nations
17 Aug 2011 The Business Life Cycle project carried out by the Government of Cape Verde is fully implemented. The project has been exemplary in setting up an electronic one-stop-shop that includes business registration, licensing and closure through an electronic platform connected to existing ‘e-government’ system.

Africa making good progress in removing barriers to doing business
16 Aug 2011 “Democracy and vibrant free enterprise are growing and making Africa a promising emerging market.

Completed Rwanda Investment Climate Project (RICP) “Rwanda successfully addresses the fundamental barriers to doing business”
27 Jun 2011 Kigali, Rwanda, - 27 June, 2011 – Rwanda today celebrates the completion of the Rwanda Investment Climate Project (RICP).

Mauritius - Launch of Mediation Centre
13 Jun 2011 The Judiciary of Mauritius announced today the launch of the Mauritius Mediation Centre which is part of a 2 year project supported by the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and the Government of Mauritius.

30 Rwandan engineers complete training in hydropower operation and maintenance
12 May 2011 Rwandan engineers complete training in hydropower operation and maintenance

Liberia launches a modern business registry
27 Apr 2011 The Government of Liberia in partnership with the ICF has today launched a modern business registry established to reduce the time, cost and complexity associated with registering a business in Liberia.

ICF announces new Co-Chair as investment climate improvements gather momentum
31 Mar 2011 The ICF today announced that Neville Isdell, the former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Coca-Cola Company, has been appointed as its new Co-Chair, after sitting on ICF’s Board of Trustees since 2009.

Togo To Strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
28 Mar 2011 Togo Alternative Dispute Resolution project

Modern Rwanda Land Administration Information System Launched
24 Feb 2011 Rwanda today launched a modern and efficient system for land titling. The new registration system, jointly funded by the Government of Rwanda and ICF, is fully automated and possesses a simplified registration process for land titles.

Mali Strengthens Alternative Dispute Resolution
17 Feb 2011 Mali Strengthens Alternative Dispute Resolution

Germany Pledges Ongoing Financial Support for Africa’s Investment Climate
24 Jan 2011 The German Government, through KfW Entwicklungsbank (The German Development Bank) has committed to further support the improvement of Africa’s investment climate. At a signing ceremony held in Frankfurt (Germany), KfW committed an additional €14million (EURO) to support the work of the ICF.

2010 News

ICF supports reform in the Tanzanian Police Force
14 Dec 2010 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) signed an agreement today with the Tanzanian Police Force to support a project to reform the police, facilitate regional movement of goods and improve security on the highways.

Zambian Judiciary Extends Reforms
10 Dec 2010 The ICF announces the successful launch of the second phase of modernisation of the Zambian Judiciary system. The project, delivered in partnership with the Zambian Government, is founded on the principle that a strong and effective judicial system enhances investor confidence, thereby helping a country to deliver economic growth.

Boost to Investor Confidence as Tanzania Unveils Modernised Judiciary
6 Dec 2010 Tanzania has today delivered a boost to businesses and investors through the launch of a modernised Judiciary. Recognising that a country’s ability to enforce contracts is an important determinant of its competitiveness in the global economy.

The Cape Verde Islands Are Among The 10 Most Reformist Countries In The Business Environment
4 Nov 2010 The Republic of Cape Verde has made it into the top rankings in the report Doing Business 2011: Making a Difference for Entrepreneurs, appearing in the top 10 countries in the worldwide rankings for improving the ease of doing business over the last year.

ICF has won the prestigious ‘Best International Campaign’ award at the 2010 Public Relations Consultancy Awards (PRCAs)
26 Oct 2010 The award, announced in London on Tuesday 26th October 2010, celebrates ICF’s successful communication of improvements to Africa’s investment climate and ongoing work to improve Africa’s image as an investment destination

The ICF Contributors Forum
18 Oct 2010 Took place in Berlin, Germany on the 18th October

The ICF Board meeting
18 Oct 2010 took place in Germany on the 18th and19th October

ICF CEO participated at the Africa Investor Investment Climate Summit in Washington
8 Oct 2010 on the 8th October

ICF is supporting a project to modernise customs administration in the Port of Dar es Salaam
1 Sep 2010 that will be implemented by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)

ICF supports Ethiopian Government’s efforts to strengthen business environment
20 Jul 2010 The ICF has announced it is supporting a new project in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia which will modernise the tax administration system of the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA).

Tanzania Hosting ICF’s Investment Climate Summit
3 May 2010 The ICF opens its two day Investment Climate Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Top Government officials and senior business executives from several countries will share best practice and discuss action plans on improving investment climates in Africa.

ICF Announces Investment Climate Summit in Tanzania
30 Mar 2010 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) today announced it will hold its Investment Climate Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Zambia Judiciary Goes Digital
29 Mar 2010 The ICF has announced today that the first phase to modernise the Zambia Judiciary system was successfully launched on 26 March 2010. The first phase focused on the Supreme, High and Magistrate Courts in Lusaka.

ICF and Government of Mauritius Announce Project to Modernise Mauritian Judiciary
8 Mar 2010 The ICF has announced a new project in partnership with the Government of Mauritius that will deliver further improvements to the country’s commercial justice system.

2009 News

ICF and Government of Senegal Announce Further Boost to Investment Climate
1 Dec 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) today announced two new projects in partnership with the Government of Senegal, set to deliver further improvements to the country’s business environment.

London Plays Host to Africa’s Most Ambitious Journalist Training Programme
6 Nov 2009 London played host to a groundbreaking training programme for African journalists last week, organised by the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

High level meeting of EAC officials in Tanzania results in recommendations to tackle trade and investment barriers
30 Oct 2009 The high level meeting hosted today by the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and the Customs Directorate of the East Africa Community Secretariat has been declared a success.

Paris Plays Host to Africa’s Most Ambitious Journalist Training Programme
19 Oct 2009 Paris played host to a groundbreaking training programme for African journalists, organised by the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Government of Mozambique and ICF Announce Partnership to improve Business Life Cycles in Tourism Industry
5 Oct 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) has today announced a partnership with the Government of Mozambique to improve business life cycle services in the tourism industry.

ICF and Government of Rwanda Announce New Project to Modernise Tax Administration
15 Sep 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) has today announced a new project in partnership with the Government of Rwanda to modernise the country’s tax administration.

ICF commends Rwanda on being named “top reformer” in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business 2010’ report
11 Sep 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) today commends Rwanda for becoming the first Sub-Saharan African economy to be named “top reformer”.

Maputo plays host to Groundbreaking Journalist Training Programme
1 Sep 2009 Maputo played host to a groundbreaking journalist training programme, organised by the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

ICF and the Government of Burkina Faso Announce Partnership to Establish New Commercial Courts and Improve Judicial Procedures
30 Aug 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) has today announced a 20 month partnership with Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Justice and the Chamber of Commerce to improve judicial procedures and establish two new commercial courts.

ICF and the Government of Sierra Leone Announce Registry General Project to Boost the Local Investment Climate
24 Aug 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) has today announced a new registry general project, in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, to modernise the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG).

ICF Announces Project to Harmonise Commercial Laws in the East African Community
20 Aug 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) has today announced a project in partnership with the member states of the East African Community (EAC) to harmonise commercial laws within the region.

Government of Cape Verde and ICF Announce Business Life Cycle Services Partnership
17 Aug 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) has today announced an 18 month project with the Government of Cape Verde to improve business life cycle services.

Call for Applicants to Groundbreaking Journalist Training Course in Maputo, Mozambique
14 Jul 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation have today announced a call for applications to the groundbreaking business journalism training course being held in Maputo, Mozambique.

Call for Applicants to Groundbreaking Journalist Training Course in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
26 Jun 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation have today announced a call for applications to the groundbreaking business journalism training course being held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Nigeria Plays Host to Groundbreaking Journalist Training Course
15 Jun 2009 The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation have today confirmed the next session of their groundbreaking business journalism training course will be held in Nigeria.

Second Annual General Meeting
14 Jun 2009 ICF held its second Annual General Meeting in Cape Town, to coincide with the World Economic Forum on Africa.

Zambia Plays Host to Africa’s Most Ambitious Journalist Training Course
28 May 2009 ICF and the Thomson Reuters Foundation have announced a final call for applications to the groundbreaking business journalism training course being held in Senegal later this month.

African countries making progress on investment climates
21 May 2009 The CEO of Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF), Mr Omari Issa, shared progress of improvements being delivered by a number of African governments to their respective investment climates at the House of Commons in London this week.

Invitation to submit pre-qualification information and detailed implementation proposals
18 May 2009 ICF invites submission of proposals for an assignment to harmonise commercial laws of the EAC Partner States.

East African Journalists Called To Apply To ICF and Thomson Reuters Foundation Training Course in Zambia
30 Apr 2009 ICF and the Thomson Reuters Foundation have launched a call for applications to the business journalism training course being held in Lusaka, Zambia later this month.

ICF announces two projects to increase investor confidence in Sierra Leone
30 Apr 2009 ICF announced a project in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone to improve Sierra Leone’s airport infrastructure to help make troublesome travel a thing of the past for visitors to the West African country. A second ICF project will speed up commercial justice and dispute resolution in Sierra Leone.

Last Call for Applicants to ICF and Thomson Reuters Foundation Journalist Training Course in Senegal
1 Apr 2009 ICF and the Thomson Reuters Foundation have launched a final call for applications to the business journalism training course taking place this month and is being held in Senegal.

ICF and Government of Senegal Transform Port of Dakar’s Customs Administration
20 Mar 2009 ICF announced the second phase of its project in partnership with the Government of Senegal to improve customs administration in the Port of Dakar.

ICF and the Government of Mali Announce Boost for Investors
6 Mar 2009 ICF announced a partnership with the Government of Mali to implement two new projects that will reduce the time and costs businesses spend resolving commercial and fiscal disputes.

ICF and Thomson Reuters Foundation Launch Africa’s Most Ambitious Journalist Training Programme
23 Jan 2009 ICF and the Thomson Reuters Foundation announced a new partnership that will offer a groundbreaking training programme for business journalism in Africa.

2008 News

Zambia to Speed Up Court Case Decisions
5 Dec 2008 ICF signed a landmark agreement with the Government of Zambia to speed up court cases in a move to improve the country’s investment climate.

Investment Climate Facility for Africa to Support Power Sector Development in Rwanda
30 Oct 2008 ICF signed an agreement with the Government of Rwanda for a power sector project that will enhance the country’s investment potential.

Africa’s Investment Climate Facility to Boost Sierra Leone’s Investment Climate
8 Oct 2008 ICF held a press conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 8th October.

Investment Climate Facility increases footprint in Africa
17 Sep 2008 ICF announced new projects in Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Zambia.

ICF held its first Annual General Meeting
17 Sep 2008 ICF contributors were delighted with the progress ICF has made to date.

Tanzania Announces Programme to Modernise Judiciary System
7 May 2008 Tanzania announced programme to modernise its judiciary system.

Liberia Announces Reform Programme To Formalise Business
22 Jan 2008 Liberia announced reform programme to formalise business.

Notes to editors

q
The Investment Climate Facility for Africa is a unique public-private partnership between government and business that aims to help Africa create a more attractive business environment and realise its potential as a global player and trading partner. ICF works to remove real and perceived obstacles to domestic and foreign investment by assisting Africans to prepare and promote the continent as an investment destination. ICF has the support of Africa institutions, international development partners and private sector companies.
w
ICF is supported by a range of corporate investors and development partners, as well as African governments, who have all proved receptive to ICF's vision of an improved investment climate for Africa. African Governments working in partnership with ICF include: Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Liberia, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia, as well as the East African Community and OHADA. ICF’s Corporate Partners include: Anglo American, Coca-Cola, SAB Miller, Sasol, Standard Bank and Unilever. Development partners include: Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, South Africa, United Kingdom, Africa Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation.

For more information or to request an interview with an ICF spokesperson, please contact:

Emilienne Macauley, Tel : +255 22 212 9211 emacauley@icfafrica.org
Neema Mosha, Tel : +255 22 212 9211 nmosha@icfafrica.org