This case study presents an overview of the historical challenges Business Membership Organisations (BMO) have experienced in promoting a more inclusive business environment for micro-enterprises in Nigeria. Through ENABLE, a business advocacy programme, this case study explores the ways in which ENABLE is tackling systemic constraints preventing BMO’s from acting as key intermediaries between the public and private sector. The case study explores the role of BMO’s, examines ENABLE’s approach to promoting a better business environment and provides and an analysis of the sustainable results driven by the programs promotion of a pro-poor business environment.
Main findings
ENABLE distinguishes itself from mainstream business advocacy programmes by placing emphasis on scale and sustainability in all its programmes and delivering the following results:
- ENABLE's BMO partners have contributed to five cases of business environment reform.
- Improved capacity of grassroots BMO’s which are increasingly engaged in robust advocacy and dialogue.
- 719,000 micro-enterprises have already benefited from an improved business environment.
- Improved regulatory environment for small businesses.
Intervention description
ENABLE targets Nigeria’s challenging business environment by delivering advocacy work to the small industries operating in some of the county's poorest regions, such as Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Kaduna states. It is focused on strengthening the demand for reform by addressing the capacity and incentives of Business Membership Organisations to engage in effective advocacy on behalf of the private sector. It also aims to increase the quality and quantity of the supply of reform and to engage the media in supporting it.
Evidence methodology
- Findings were obtained through a combination of desk research and field site visits.
- Qualitative research methods were used to assess ENABLE’s monitoring and results management system.
- Interviews were used to assess whether the intervention established a better business environment for micro-entrepreneurs.