As Project Coordinator that led a study titled, “Reassessing the Role of Special Economic Zones in Africa: Evidence on Export Performance and Socioeconomic Impacts”, I would like to commend the team for producing a such robust and groundbreaking research on the role of SEZs in Africa. This publication explores over 230 SEZs across 43 African countries, revealing their potential to boost export sophistication, market penetration, and local welfare, especially near industrial zones. The study highlights how the effectiveness of SEZs depends largely on their governance models, the strength of incentives offered, and how well they align with regional integration and sustainability objectives.

Many thanks to the team of co-authors Simon Azuélos, Imani Development’s Dr Sid Boubekeur, Peter Kuria GITHINJI, Cecília Hornok, Dr. Alina Mulyukova and Zakaria Ouari for their commitment to this research.

We engaged Imani Development between July 2022 and April 2024 to develop the COMESA strategy for implementation of the AfCFTA. The team successfully produced a draft strategy together with an action plan that will ensure effective implementation of the AfCFTA in the COMESA region.

As the project manager responsible for this assignment, I wish to confirm satisfaction with the level of competency and professionalism demonstrated by the consultants and the quality of deliverables.

The EAC Elimination of NTBs Mobile Application (EAC NTBs App) was developed in close collaboration with Imani Development and funded by TradeMark Africa. This App was specifically designed to make reporting non-tariff barriers (NTBs) easier and more accessible to all small-scale traders and citizens in the East African Community (EAC).

From the onset, it was very important for us to have an App that is simple and easy enough for anyone to use. Imani clearly understood our needs. They developed a simple App that is available in three official languages (English, Swahili, and French), so that users are able report complaints in real time in their preferred language. The App is available and can be downloaded for free on Google Play Store and Apple iOS.

This App for has been positively received by users, including small-scale traders and government officials responsible for reporting NTBs in the EAC. I look forward to working with Imani Development in future.

As one of the coordinators of the AGOA Study commissioned by the African Union Commission on Africa-US Trade & Investment Relationship Beyond 2025: Strategic Options & Approaches for an Enhanced Partnership, I would like to thank Imani Development for the great work accomplished within a very short period of time. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the team, the methodology and the flexibility adopted by the firm to deliver a high-quality document. The product was well received by the Member States and exceeded my expectations. I look forward to working with Imani Development on potential future assignments.

“I found the CBM project to have been delivered strategically as in the effort to minimize the number of stakeholders in cross border trade; through the capacity building sessions, each stakeholder had a chance to learn the roles of their fellow stakeholders in the industry.

This platform will potential provide a chance to pick overlapping regulations thereby minimizing transit times and consequently reduce the cost of doing business.”

“On behalf of the Department of Fisheries, I would like to thank Imani Development for the great work on Fisheries licencing training which was part of the CBM project. From our side, I feel that the project is very helpful in the way business shall be carried out at the border. The training of the agencies remaining at the border was successfully done.

We are so hopeful too that the working relationship that Imani has successfully assisted to build will continue to exist and benefit all agencies leaving and remaining at the border for the benefit of Malawi as a country.”

“I wanted to thank you, on behalf of Amanzi where I serve as a Board member. The participating staff really enjoyed it and were impressed and in awe of the level of training and knowledge that was provided them. They will be transferring skills internally to the other 2-3 technicians that assist with daily phytoplankton monitoring. Amanzi is undergoing the first SANAS accreditation process now, focussing on the phytoplankton methodology, so the training couldn’t have come at a better time! Industry, and Amanzi, is very grateful.”

“As the member of “National Monitoring Committee” on NTB. I do appreciate the efforts put in by Imani Development, the team are professional and knowledgeable, all the documents and the presentation are a facts and a guide for a clear reform, with no doubt I will be happy to work with the organization in future project.”

“As the coordinator of the assignment on “Developing an Effective System to Ensure Compliance to SADC Protocols and other Legal Instruments, I would like to thank Imani Development for the great work. I was very impressed by the professionalism and intelligent approach adopted by the Firm. The Team took the time and effort to really understand the assignment and the product that was delivered exceeded my expectations. I look forward to working with Imani Development on future assignments.”

“On behalf of EU, I would like to thank Imani Development for the great work in helping to design the COMESA Cross-Border Trade initiative. The design study was thoroughly executed which was demonstrated by the quality of work they delivered. We hope we will be able to continue working together on other trade-related projects in the future.”

“On behalf of GIZ, I would like to thank Imani for the great work in helping to develop the SADC-EU EPA M & E system. We now await further SADC/EU processes on the designed system and hope we will be able to continue working together on further aspects of the M & E system as well as other projects in the future.”

“Imani development undertook a programme design and business case writing assignment for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in early 2019. From the moment the team began the project it was clear the team had both the expertise and dedication to ensure the best possible outcome. Over and above the call of duty the team invested significant additional time in the process; which was hugely appreciated by all involved in the assignment. Their expertise was first rate; as was the understanding of the task requirements. Our team wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services and are grateful for all the hard work and dedication that went into an exciting programme of work. Thank you on behalf of us all”

“Imani Development and its successes are the pride of our nation. The work they did for the Republic of South Sudan in general and EAC Secretariat is immeasurable. They supported the accession process right from its conception to its inception, from inception to negotiations and negotiations to admission and from admission to the official signing of the Treaty of Accession, it’s ratification by the National Assembly, to Presidential Assent to delivery of instruments of ratification to the EAC Secretary General, to preparation of roadmap to fast- track RSS’s integration into the EAC down to serious work of capacity building, sensitization and now the implementation stage. Without their support which is immensely documented, we would not have achieved much. Indeed, they are a lifeline to the EAC Office and would be much more when the new Ministry responsible for EAC Affairs is established in November 2019.”

“As the project manager for the Agriculture Finance scoping Exercise in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Malawi. I found the Imani team to be completely thorough and innovative in their approach to the assignment. They delivered a quality product that we’re incredibly proud of. We are very grateful to have worked with such a competent team and look forward to the opportunity to work together again.”