EDB Mauritius Hosts Zambian Delegation for Benchmarking Business Regulatory Reforms

The Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry of Zambia. and plays a crucial role in ensuring an efficient, cost-effective, and accessible business licensing system. Its key functions include:

• Reviewing and approving business-related policies and laws to ensure they serve their intended regulatory purpose
• Coordinating regulatory reforms to reduce administrative burdens on businesses
• Developing and implementing business-friendly interventions in collaboration with various government agencies
• Enhancing digital transformation in regulatory processes to improve service delivery

Since its full operationalisation in 2016, BRRA has achieved significant milestones, including the implementation of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA), the establishment of regulatory service centres, and the development of Zambia’s e-Registry system.

Despite these strides, BRRA recognizes the need to further enhance regulatory efficiency, improve inter-agency coordination, and accelerate digital transformation. The benchmarking visit to Mauritius was designed to learn from best practices and explore innovative approaches that could be adapted to Zambia’s business environment.

Fostering Knowledge Exchange

Mauritius has consistently ranked among the top African countries in ease of doing business, owing to its progressive regulatory environment and business-friendly policies. The visit by BRRA was aligned with its mandate to enhance regulatory efficiency in Zambia and implement reforms that streamline business licensing and administrative procedures.

The primary objectives of the Zambian delegation were to:

• Gain insights into Mauritius’ regulatory reform journey and its impact on the business climate
• Understand the role of EDB in driving economic and investment facilitation
• Explore digital transformation initiatives, including the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS), the InfoHighway backbone for information sharing between public sector agencies, the Customs Management System, the TradeNet, TradeLink and CBRIS systems implemented by the Mauritius Network Services.
• Assess the one-stop shop model for business registration and its effectiveness
• Exchange knowledge on regulatory impact assessments and process re-engineering

Collaboration with Key Institutions

Throughout the visit, EDB facilitated a series of interactive sessions and site visits, providing the delegation with a comprehensive overview of Mauritius’ business facilitation ecosystem. Key engagements included:

• Presentations by EDB on Mauritius’ economic development strategy, investment promotion mechanisms, and regulatory reforms
• Meeting with the Registrar of Companies to discuss the implementation and operational framework of the One-Stop Shop for business registration
• Technical session on the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS), showcasing how digitalisation has enhanced efficiency in business licensing
• Meetings with the Ministry of Information Technology, Innovation and Communication, the Customs and the Mauritius Network Services to study the different digital systems implemented.
• Discussion on the Business Facilitation Act (2006) and its role in simplifying administrative and legal procedures
• Engagement with Business Mauritius to understand the engagement of the private sector with Government on business reform initiatives, including the private sector’s close collaboration with Government on the Regulatory Review, Business Process Re-Engineering and the Regulatory Impact Assessment projects.

Strengthening Ties for Future Cooperation

The visit provided an excellent platform for collaboration between Mauritius and Zambia in the area of regulatory reforms and business facilitation. By leveraging Mauritius’ experience, BRRA aims to accelerate the implementation of reforms in Zambia, with a focus on digital transformation, administrative efficiency, and inter-agency coordination.

As Mauritius continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for investment and business facilitation, EDB remains committed to fostering international cooperation and sharing its expertise with partner countries. The engagement with BRRA underscores the importance of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration in shaping effective regulatory frameworks that drive economic growth and private sector development.