Kabul
Celtel founder Dr. Mo Ibrahim has isolated lack of an enabling environment for business as the single-most important challenge to growth in many African countries. Addressing a conference on enabling environment in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dr Ibrahim said many developing countries still had barriers that kept away potential investors.
In a video address, Dr. Ibrahim recounted his experience establishing the Celtel mobile telephone company in Africa as part of a presentation to help delegates at the conference understand challenges faced by private investors.
The Kabul conference has been organised by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Afghan government to help spur development following 30 years of war.
Highlights of its opening on Monday include a key note address by the Aga Khan, who is the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
The Aga Khan called for a “great alliance” between governments, civil society and business to help improve lives in the developing world. Dr Ibrahim said while it was understood that most developing countries did not have the best infrastructure among other things that facilitated business, what scared away investors more was a country’s inability to apply its own laws consistently.
Dr Ibrahim added: “What I cannot live with are Governments that don’t respect their own laws.”
Ismailimail 