Nigeria's Business Community Fights Back

Corruption in Nigeria is generally regarded as some of the most blatant in the world. This widespread view has hurt Nigeria's image, making it very difficult for that nation to attract international trade and investment. Seeking to restore the country's reputation as a good place to do business, Nigeria's private sector has begun to fight back.

Beginning in July, CIPE initiated an 18-month program with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture. NACCIMA is an umbrella organization consisting of some 55 state, city, and bilateral chambers of commerce in Nigeria.

Through NACCIMA, the organized business community in Nigeria will serve as a "watchdog," monitoring the government's pledge to bring about fundamental economic reforms. If the economy can register sustained growth and stability, then the potential for a gradual transition to representative democracy in Nigeria will be greatly enhanced.

The CIPE/NACCIMA project consists of three components:

1. Creating a "Policy Monitoring Unit" to track government policies intended to liberalize trade and investment.
2. Producing six "update" bulletins, one every three months, that will go out to 5,000 Nigerian policymakers.
3. Organizing a workshop on advocacy and public policy implementation.

CIPE's relationship with NACCIMA goes back to 1988, when the two organizations worked on a joint training initiative. The new program is the most "hands-on" effort ever undertaken by the two groups to enlist the business community in Nigeria's economic reforms.