Reforming business-related laws to promote private sector development : The World Bank experience in Africa

An appropriate legal and judicial framework is essential to governance and progress in all countries. It is also an essential ingredient in any private sector development program. Thus, at the request of its borrowers, especially in Africa, the World Bank has actively promoted and supported programs to improve such frameworks since the 1980s. Reforming Business-Related Laws to Promote Sector Development : The World Bank Experience in Africa describes legal and judicial reform programs in African countries. It also includes an historical perspective bringing together in one place an evaluation of such programs during the immediate post-independence era in civil and common law countries. Within this historical context, this study draws several lessons of experience. These include the desirability of a comprehensive approach to legal and judicial reform;proper consideration of sociopolitical, economic, and cultural circumstances;government commitment to the objectives of reform programs;less reliance on foreign experts;and the strengthening of implementing agencies through capacity building. This study contains ideas that should be considered in any law reform agenda designed to promote private sector development in Africa and elsewhere.