The private sector has a vital role to play in economic policy development. As governments implement policies to provide an enabling environment, the private sector needs to become more efficient and competitive. Private sector associations are significant in this environment, and support for the development of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) is required. Imani Development has been highly instrumental in developing policies that support private sector growth — for example, deregulation, privatisation, industrial development and investment promotion strategies. We also provide practical support to businesses, business associations and public-private sector dialogues.

The following activities are illustrative of our work:

• supporting the National Action Group in Malawi, a private sector/donor/government partnership dialogue group dealing with development issues that affect the private sector in Malawi.
• facilitating the development of the SMME sector through management of the European Community-supported Trade and Investment Development Programme in South Africa.
• organising investment promotion programmes and sector partnership meetings for the SADC region.
• assisting the government of Mozambique by providing representation for its Investment Promotion Centre in Mauritius
• working with the Government of Uganda in developing a programme to support its medium-term competitive strategy (MTCS) for the private sector.