Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2008

Growth and Responsibility: A Review of Business Action for Africa between the UK and German G8 Presidencies 2005-7

Richard Reeve

June 2007

Chatham House

Abstract

This report, released on the day leaders of the G8 discuss Africa in Heiligendamm, examines one of the more significant UK initiatives to arise from the British Presidency of the G8 in 2005, Business Action for Africa (BAA). BAA is a network of 145 Business', NGOs, government departments and international institutions with interest in a stable and prosperous Africa including companies such as AngloAmerican, SABMiller and Debeers. Its mission is:

The report argues that BAA has the potential to be a major positive force in encouraging greater and more responsible foreign direct investment into Africa, and the international trade policies to encourage this, but that it must transcend its UK origins if it is to fulfil its promise at an international level.