In partnership with the International Development Research Centre and the Foundation for Sustainable Enterprise and Development, we’ve set up a special fund to promote enterprise and livelihoods in Africa through research and advocacy. Known as the Investment Climate and Business Environment (ICBE) Research Fund, it awarded approximately US$1,481,000 in its first two rounds of funding.

The ICBE Research Fund uses competitive research grant mechanisms, training workshops, and institution-building partnerships between business schools and private-sector organizations to contribute to a better investment climate and business environment in Africa. The Fund operates in English and French and includes all regions of the African continent.

First Round: 2006–2007
Our first call for proposals, issued in June 2006, drew 236 submissions from universities, business schools, and independent research institutions in 30 African countries. We enlisted a team of peer reviewers to grade the proposals and then assembled a pan-African jury to select the winners, who set to work analyzing such issues as regulation and reform in procurement; investment and corporate governance; supply chains and the informal sector; public and private sector partnerships; capital markets and foreign direct investments; energy and poverty in rural areas; and the creation and growth of youth and women enterprises. In all, we awarded 17 small research grants of up to US$10,000 and 12 intermediate research grants of up to US$50,000.

Second Round: 2007–2008
Our second call for proposals, issued in August 2007, introduced a new category of large grants (up to US$100,000 each) for research on cross-border initiatives and regional economies. It also announced the availability of additional small and intermediate grants (up to US$10,000 and US$50,000, respectively).

Scholars and researchers from 16 countries applied, focusing on finance, public services (such as education and infrastructure), agriculture, trade, energy, and telecommunications. Some proposals also addressed cross-sector domains including governance, entrepreneurship, law reform, and alternative dispute resolution.

Review: 2008–2009
Now in its third year, the ICBE Research Fund is undergoing a through review to draw lessons from the first two rounds and thereby refine in its operations. TrustAfrica staff and partners are taking a close look at the grants competition to identify opportunities for improvement. We are also assessing the nature, quality, and impact of the research findings and developing a series of case studies to help them reach a wider audience.
 

Read our fact sheet about the ICBE Research Fund (PDF).

Read our brochure about the ICBE Research Fund (doc).

See a complete list of ICBE grants.