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Investment climate perception surveys
The World Bank asserts that improvements in the enabling environment lead to greater levels of investment by the private sector, more wealth and job creation, and ultimately more poverty alleviation. The best way for government to understand how to improve the enabling environment is to involve the private sector through consultation and dialogue.
It is important, however, to understand how the private sector sees the enabling environment. Perception and reality may differ, but it is perceptions that influence the way that people act. Having an understanding of business perceptions may not only convince policy makers that more needs to be done but also, particularly where there is a big gap, provide clues to the government about how to communicate messages about reality.
The Steadman Group is an integrated market information business which provides clients across east Africa with research (including market research, social research, media research and opinion polling) information, media monitoring and strategy and training services. They already undertake a six monthly Business Leaders survey in the five countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and Zambia) in which they have an office and agreed to add four investment climate questions to seek business leaders’ views of the enabling environment and their perceptions of government efforts to improve it.
Business leaders were asked about
  • The enabling environment factors that are important to their business;
  • The factors that make it difficult to do business;
  • Their perception of whether, and if so, how, government is addressing each factor;
  • Their view of whether each factor would be likely to deter future investment; and
  • Their assessment of the costs involved in meeting the requirement of regulation and red tape.
The survey in Kenya was commissioned by the Business Advocacy Fund. Download the executive summary or the full report. Kenya perceptions summary
Kenya perceptions full report 
The survey in Tanzania was commissioned by Business Environment Strengthening for Tanzania (BEST) Advocacy Component (AC). Download the executive summary or the full report. Tanzania perceptions summary
Tanzania perceptions full report
In addition, Steadman asked the same questions in Uganda, enabling the preparation of an East African review. East Africa review
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Page updated 30 September 2008