Business environment and regional integration
Strengthening the private sector is a major focus for the fight against poverty and support for economic growth: improving the business climate, access to financial services, as well as support for competitiveness and innovation, contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aiming at promoting economic development.
Working with its network of partners, the agency mobilises internal and external expertise to assist public and private organisations from partner countries in the implementation of economic policies aiming at strengthening the private sector, creating decent jobs and diversifying local economies.
The agency promotes the sharing of experience and a transfer of know-how by disseminating good practices during technical assistance missions, study visits, workshops and training sessions. It relies on an extensive network of recognised French and international expertise.
Three main areas of operation
Improve the business climate and innovation ecosystems
• Supporting the definition and implementation of public policies for business development as a driver for inclusive and sustainable growth
• Supporting the development of the legal framework and the simplification of administrative procedures: business law, taxation, customs duties, single window, digitalisation
• Contributing to the dissemination of an entrepreneurial culture: training, university teaching modules, events
Strenghten business support organisations
• Strengthening support organisations (support entities, national agencies, chambers of commerce, experts in accounting and law, universities) for the provision of services tailored to business needs
• Supporting the structuring of sectors and clusters
• Improving the capacity of support organisations to convey the needs of the private sector to public authorities (public-private dialogue, advocacy activities)
Access to financing
• Supporting the development of a normative framework conducive to investment
• Supporting the development of the financing chain: seed funds, investment funds and banks, guarantee mechanisms, microfinance institutions, innovative financing tools
• Facilitating access to bank credit for companies: formulation of needs, training for staff from financial institutions, credit mediation
Some examples of projects
African Union-European Union Digital for Development Hub
2021-2024 – €8m (European Union, Agence française de développement)
The Digital4Development Hub (D4D Hub) is the new European digital cooperation platform. It aims to:
1) Increase investments in digital technology;
2) Support the digital transformation of partner countries;
3) Promote a comprehensive approach based on European values;
4) Establish a comprehensive rulebook based on values for a digital economy and society all over the world;
5) Promote a stronger and more strategic commitment by the EU in international digital partnerships.
Find out more about D4D Hub
EU4PSL – Support programme for the development of the Libyan private sector
2019-2022 – €10m (European Union)
The EU4PSL project aims to improve the business environment in Libya in order to generate economic growth and employment opportunities, especially for young people and women.
Find out more about EU4PSL
Innov’i – EU4Innovation: Project to Support the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem in Tunisia
2019-2024 – €14.5m (European Union)
Innov'i - EU4Innovation is a project to support the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem which aims to contribute to the economic, sustainable and inclusive development of Tunisia by strengthening, structuring and ensuring the sustainability of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Find out more about Innov'i – EU4Innovation