ECIAfrica

Projects

Facilitating the development and improved operation of commodity and service markets for the benefit of the poor in Southern Africa

There is a political and economic imperative to ensure that the poor benefit from the economic opportunities which exist in the region, and to help link the disconnected first- and third-world economies, especially in South Africa. ComMark wass designed to facilitate the development and improved operation of commodity and service markets for the benefit of the poor in Southern Africa. Activities and support concentrate in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. ECIAfrica served as the managing custodian of this programme on behalf of the ComMark Trust.

ComMark focused on a certain key subsectors that offer clear potential to positively effectpro-poor growth and poverty reduction. This potential was realized through market-based employment creation, the growth and diversification of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector, and the growth of business development services. Within selected subsectors, ComMark focused on identifying "market failures", which stifled the ability of poor households and entrepreneurs to access the markets.

ComMark improved legal and regulatory frameworks in specific commodity and service sectors, investigated and overcame barriers to entry for emerging farmers and small businesses, facilitated business linkages between large and small enterprises (many of the latter being from previously disadvantaged communities), and enabled the establishment of commercial public-private partnerships. ComMark focused on facilitating and incentivizing (as opposed to setting up, managing or running) the efficient operation of institutions, processes, and practices that have a direct bearing on pro-poor market growth.

Southern Africa

May 2003 - March 2007

Client:

U.K. Department for International Development
ComMark Trust

Contact:

Golden Mahove

Return to Projects