Policy Environment of Management Development Institutions in Anglophone Africa. Problems and Prospects for Reform

摘要

The report is the result of a Seminar on the Policy Environment of African Management Development Institutions (MDIs) hosted by the Lesotho Government in Maseru, Lesotho, September 18-23, 1989. It is widely agreed that African MDIs have an important role to play in the future African development effort, and that few have yet to satisfactorily fulfill their mandate. At first consideration, the policy constraints surrounding the MDIs appear to be an important part of the cause for their uneven progress. It is undoubtedly true that some loosening of policy regulations is necessary if MDIs are to be able to respond to the challenges and opportunities that face them. However, a closer look at the dynamics of the policy framework and the process of reform shows that there is not a simple cause and effect relationship. Although it may appear logical that policy reform is a prerequisite for institutional progress, it will often be a case of institutional progress and policy reform going hand in hand. Although policymakers do have a special responsibility to cut away out-dated and prescriptive regulations and limitations, the directors have equally to demonstrate to their governments or governing bodies that they are capable of operating responsibly with less direct governance, and to deepen the impact of their contribution to the development effort.