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EVENTS

SMEs and the Rule of Law in Africa: legal developments, regulatory challenges and prospective solutions

Date: 12th October 2017

Time: 08:00 - 16:30

Venue: Jones Day LLP (Washington), 300 New Jersey Avenue, WASHINGTON DC, DC 20001

Event Details

Time: 8:30-4.30 (including lunch), followed by a reception (Registration from 8:00am)

Venue: Jones Day, 300 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001


2017 Annual Global Rule of Law Exchange Conference

This conference is co-organised by the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law and Jones Day with support from the Jones Day Foundation.

Although Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can vary in size from country to country, SMEs are typically recognised as being the backbone of any economy, and Africa is no exception. SMEs are an important engine of growth and employment. Nevertheless, SME development is often constrained by a number of obstacles: financial (access to finance and limited access to markets), administrative (laws & regulations) and technical or internal (e.g. lack of access to appropriate technology, poor management skills or capacity, etc).

What are the key legal and regulatory issues for the SME sector? How is the Rule of Law important for the SME sector? What does an enabling legal and regulatory environment for SMEs look like? What is the effect of an unfavourable regulatory and legal environment on investors and SME growth? Are local SMEs at a competitive disadvantage compared to international SMEs and investors, or are rules and regulations the same and equally enforced for everyone? What is the cost of compliance to African SMEs, and is compliance bad for business? What solutions are in place to address the abovementioned legal and regulatory issues, and how can other countries learn from these? What is the role of Governments and the private sector in developing a better SME sector in Africa? What are the incentives or disincentives for progress?

Drawing on the experience of entrepreneurs, international investors, the legal profession, government representatives and international organisations, these are some of the questions this conference will seek to address through a range of keynote speeches and panel discussions. It will also aim to identify practical solutions to some of the legal and regulatory issues African SMEs face.

Speakers

  • Dr. Donald Kaberuka , former President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, African Development Bank (2005-2015)
  • Timothy Kakuru, mSME Garage( Uganda)
  • Affiong Williams, Founder/CEO, Reelfruit (Nigeria)
  • Anton Didenko, Research Fellow, Business and the Rule of Law, The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law
  • Coryell Stout, Portfolio Engagement Manager, Venture Lab, Accion
  • Dr. Moeketsi Majoro , Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Lesotho
  • Kazuhiro Numasawa, Principal Investment Officer, Financial Sector Development Department, African Development Bank
  • Ashina Singh, Department of Small Business Development, (South Africa)
  • Andreja Marusic, Global Lead, Business Environment, World Bank
  • Odunoluwa Longe, DIY Law, (Nigeria)

Additional Speakers to be added

Download the programme


Registration

This event is free to attend but advance registration is required.

Register for a place at the event


Photography and audio recording

Please note that our events may be photographed or audio recorded. These materials will be used for internal and external promotional purposes only by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. If you object to appearing in the photographs, please let our photographer know on the day. Alternatively you can email BIICL Marketing Manager, Carmel Brown, in advance of the event that you are attending.


Event Cancellation Policy

Cancellation by us

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law reserves the right to modify or cancel any event if unforeseen circumstances arise. If we cancel an event we shall inform you as soon as possible using the contact details provided to us and offer you a full refund.

Cancellation by you

All cancellations must be made in writing via email to eventsregistration@biicl.org and be no less than one week prior to the event.

Payment for registration will always be required, and must be made prior to the event. If sufficient written notification of cancellation is received, a full refund will be given. If insufficient notice is given, payment for your registration will still be required.

No charge events

All events are costly to set up, even those for which there is 'no charge'. If you register but find you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible. As a charity we need to cover the costs of events, and we may charge you a fee of £10 for administration and catering costs if you fail to attend or give us less than 24 hours' notice.

By registering for an event, you have confirmed that you have read and understood our cancellation policy.

 
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