Local Economic Development Network of Africa blogs

What can African small businesses learn from their Chinese counterparts?

wadiehobson — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:29:14 +0000

I am helping an Ethiopian friend set up a wedding dress hire business in Addis Ababa by importing dresses from China, and I have to say I have been really impressed by the small Chinese firms we are dealing with.

Should local governments in Africa provide financial support to local firms?

wadiehobson — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:06:36 +0000

This is a question that always comes up in the design phase of an LED intervention to be run by local governments in Africa. The answer is still unclear to me and that is why I would love to hear your views on this issue?

Why Public Private Partnerships should not be an excuse for government getting back into economic production

wadiehobson — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 07:25:58 +0000

When I was recently informed by a Municipal official that the Municipality was engaging in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for LED, I did not expect the type of project he was referring to. The Municipality was starting up economic production enterprises to be run jointly with the private sector.

The beta LEDNA website soon going live

Serge-Zelezeck — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:49:45 +0000

Dear members and users,

Big thanks to the many of you who provided feedbacks for the improvements of our current site. We are now happy to announce that we're nearing completion of these improvements which have been ongoing for some months now on.

Save the date!

Please Stop Blaming the Private Sector!

wadiehobson — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:04:00 +0000

At the recent conference of African finance ministers, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, said that Africa needs a new development plan in which the state replaces the private sector as the main engine of growth.

How can we prove that LED works? A call for impact information from African countries

wadiehobson — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:15:05 +0000

Before making a decision to invest in LED, surely we need information proving that it works. From the perspective of a Mayor, Governor or indeed any institution investing financial resources into LED, one would need to know that:

Why LED is not suitable for everywhere in Africa?

wadiehobson — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 05:06:50 +0000

While I of course believe that LED has a lot to offer developing countries in general and African countries in particular. I don't, however, share the enthusiasm of some practitioners and donors that LED could be implemented pretty much everywhere.

It's time the world listened to new stories out of Africa

lexlindeman — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:15:47 +0000

It's time the world listened to new stories out of Africa. Good news are there for all to see! The Economist revealed last month that six of the 10 most rapidly expanding economies over the past decade were in sub-Saharan Africa.

Implementation of the LEDNA 2010-2011 work plan concerning field activities in Togo and Benin

ledna-team — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:12:03 +0000

From 16 to 28 January 2011, the LEDNA Coordinator was on a mission to Togo and Benin - two countries which alongside Botswana, Mali, Zambia constitute the LEDNA five countries of concentration for the period 2010-2014. The mission aimed at launching the implementation of the 2010-2011 work plan regarding field activities in these two countries.

Deadline soon Feb 14 -Developing Local Economies through Inclusive Policies and Planning

Gwen-Swinburn — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:55:22 +0000

Friends - Just to let you know our summer school application deadline is in two weeks, so if you are thinking of applying or know someone who may benefit, take action now- it is an online application and we do need a small effort in the process. The course participants need funding for travel and accommodation and the remainder is funded by the OPen Society.