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.
This event is free to attend but advance registration is required.
"SMEs and the Rule of Law in Africa: legal developments, regulatory challenges and prospective solutions"