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Addressing development challenges in Southern Africa: An Investment Policy Framework for the Southern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) partnered with the OECD in 2013 to create an Investment Policy Framework (IPF) specific to the SADC region. This framework is a key input to the SADC Regional Action Plan on Investment, and it builds on national-level analytical assessments, peer-learning, and best practices from OECD and non-OECD countries.
The Sixth Focus Group Meeting on the SADC Regional Investment Policy Framework took place from 21-22 July 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This meeting set the implementation priorities for the SADC Investment Policy Framework during 2015/16 and endorsed the IPF for SADC.
The objectives of the 6th Focus Meeting were:
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To discuss revisions made to the SADC Investment Policy Framework (IPF) based on comments received from Member States; to identify priorities for implementation, based on national consultations and the priority voting process of the IPF.
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To discuss the development of a monitoring framework for the SADC IPF, assessing the possibility and desirability of applying monitoring and measuring tools to key components of the IPF. As a basis for these discussions, an issues paper will be presented taking stock of existing methodologies and experiences, with a view to getting guidance from Member States on the types of monitoring approaches that could best support the implementation of investment policy reforms in SADC.
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To discuss future activities to support implementation efforts, including peer learning and sharing of international good practices around key policy reform areas represented in the IPF.
This work is taking place within the context of the NEPAD-OECD Africa Investment Initiative, and also draws on the OECD Tax and Development Programme.
This meeting followed on from 5 previous focus meetings held throughout 2013-2015 during which SADC member states and the OECD developed and honed the SADC Investment Policy Framework.
Timeline for developing the framework
| Nov 2013 |
1st focus meeting – Pretoria Introduction of policy pillars and member states were called on to volunteer in topic-specific expert groups. Follow up: Diagnostic questionnaires for each policy pillar prepared by the OECD and shared with member states. |
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March 2014
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2nd focus meeting – Johannesburg Discussions focused on countries' key concerns and the technical elements required to guide responses to the questionnaires. |
| July 2014 |
3rd focus meeting – Pretoria Presentation of draft analytical reports for the policy pillars on tax incentives, and infrastructure investment. The Global Taskforce updating the PFI attended this workshop, enabling peer-learning from other regions. |
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Oct 2014
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4th focus meeting – Pretoria Presentation of draft analytic reports for policy pillars on FDI restrictions, and investor protection. SADC integration into global value chains, and implementation priorities for the framework were also discussed. |
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March 2015
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5th focus meeting – Johannesburg Presentation and discussion of draft regional guidelines with member states; identification of options and priorities for peer exchange and monitoring activities. Download agenda |
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July 2015
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6th focus meeting – Johannesburg Finalisation of the framework and regional guidelines with member states and launch of implementation phase of the project. Download agenda |
| 2015 & 2016 | Peer exchange, monitoring and implementation of the framework and regional guidance. |
