Advocacy Coalition Framework and the Quest for Better Business Environment

In 1988 Paul Sabatier – a notable scholar in the field of policy change and advocacy triggered a paradigm shift in the process of policy change and formulation. In his work Sabatier addressed the need for advocacy coalition within policy subsystems – groups of individuals or institutions sharing common beliefs towards a particular policy formulation or change. He named this model an Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF).

While critics of ACF like Michael Howlett, Alan McConnel and Anthony Perl question its applicability in economies outside USA economy, there are positive signs that ACF can be successful in Tanzania. With the stability and peace tradition ACF could be perfect model for policy reforms in quest for better business environment in Tanzania.

Instead of boycotting government regulations and directives such as the introduction Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFD’s) with violence, ACF offers a calm and peaceful alternative though patience and expertise demanding. The ACF offers opportunity for the private sector to use researched data in dialoging with the government as means of advocating for policy change.

For those who might question applicability of ACF in Tanzania here are some useful practical experiences. The Tanzania Association of Exporters (TANEXA) used findings from a study funded by Business Environment Strengthening Tanzania – Dialogue Component (BEST-Dialogue) to advocate for removal of red-tape on regional (East Africa) trade in agriculture produce. As a result the government saw the need of addressing old regulations relating to food security which demanded exporters to apply for cumbersome procedures in quest for permit to export agriculture products in the East Africa Region.

Though the government has not addressed all hurdles regarding to TANEXA concerns, there are positive signs of success. With the support of BEST- Dialogue and the recent involvement of Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA-Arusha) we must be optimistic especially with the current regime in place.

Of recent success of ACF is the implementation of Weight and Measure Act (WMA) to address the issues of lumbesa – overweighting of agriculture products per bag in Iringa region. Basically WMA prohibit overweighting of agriculture produces per bag. Perhaps due to lack of awareness of WMA there are has been some cases where people find no need of complying with the act. For the example while the WMA direct the weight per bag of maize to be not more than 90 Kilogram, there are those who exceeds this limit.

 Before TCCIA – Iringa intervention, the local government authorities could not see Lumbesa issue as their main concern. Why should they care while it was farmers who were exploited? With support of BEST-Dialogue and the scientific revelation of Higher Learning Institutions Network (HILINE) – an network of experienced researchers from six higher learning institutions (University of Dar es Salaam, Mzumbe University, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Saint Augustine University of Tanzania, Tumaini University-Iringa and Moshi Cooperative University); TCCIA-Iringa managed to show lumbesa implication to the government in terms of  lost revenues.

The data on amount of revenues lost by government as a result of lack of proper implementation of WMA alerted the local government authorities and they took immediate action. Without boycotting or violence the agribusiness community in Iringa region had reached consensus regarding to the need of implementing WMA for fair transaction between farmers and traders.

These cited cases are clear evidence of how ACF could be a useful tool for bridging the gap between the public and private sector in quest for better business environment – favorable set of social, legal, economical and political conditions that inspire business but that business cannot control.

It is time now for members of business community to become patriotic and leave politics aside in their search for better business environment. Private sector organization such as TCCIA, Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI), TANEXA, Tanzania Milk Processors Association (TAMPA) etc can provide a reliable platform for business community to express their concern regarding to hurdles they face in their business conduct.

Developing a culture of facts oriented dialogue between the private and public sector can provide permanent solution for sustainable mutual relationship while ensuring private sector prosperity and economic development.

While the government has shown serious intention for capital development it is time to consider the ACF model and hail BEST-D/PSO efforts in order to ensure that the government good intentions are realized in time. We might not get there sooner as we might have expected but let’s bear in mind that good results take time to work for and positive reforms needs calmness, researched facts and tolerance for pains.