Blog - Center for International Private Enterprise

Call to Action: Refugee Financial Inclusion in Kenya

Refugees are typically a group of people shut out from economic opportunity and the political processes that affect their lives. Enhancing the self-reliance of refugees is crucial to achieving a...

Iraqi Businessmen Union Scores a Big Win for Decentralization in Anbar

This blog post is part of a two-part series on transparency in Iraq. Click here to read the second blog in the series. For years, Iraqi provinces have lagged in...

Six Things We Learned About Cooperatives and Associations in Somalia

Up to the present, little has been known about the structure and performance of Somalia’s membership organizations. In 2022, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) undertook a comprehensive field-based...

Boosting Association Revenues

One of the risks facing many African associations is their dependence on membership revenues. The American Association of Association Executives (ASAE), which conducts annual studies of chamber and association executives,...

Bridging the Gap Between Decisionmakers and Constituents in Iraq’s Muthanna Province

This blog post is part of a two-part series on transparency in Iraq. Click here to read the first blog in the series. Communication is vital to any political system....

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Rebuilding Ethiopia: 2023

As Ethiopia emerges from a destructive two-year war that destroyed many lives and property in the north, all efforts need to be focused on reconstruction and economic recovery. Even more...

Latin America’s Orange Economy Creates Opportunity

The orange economy is a space where like-minded creative entrepreneurs come together as they create businesses focused on art and culture in their communities. In Latin America, the orange economy is the engine that drives culture and creativity and stands out for its ability to create jobs and exports. CIPE’s orange economy programming has produced several new companies and new jobs in the last two quarters in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala alone.

Advancing Beneficial Ownership Transparency: The Private Sector Use Case

CIPE’s newest report, “Beneficial Ownership Transparency — Exploring the Private Sector Use Case,” arrives at a critical time. Building on the tremendous progress made by advocates in setting out beneficial...

CIPE Launches Capacity Building Program for Entrepreneurial Empowerment Organizations in Central America

In Central America, women's entrepreneurship and meaningful engagement in the economy and political spheres are key for inclusive growth and societal prosperity. However, numerous challenges hinder the progress of Central American women in their entrepreneurial and leadership endeavors, such as gendered social norms, unequal household responsibilities, and limited representation in senior positions. Citizens, businesses, and...

Unveiling the Nexus: How Customs Administrations Are Exploited to Empower Authoritarian Regimes

What is the connection between international trade and democracy? Much research has been devoted to exploring this intricate relationship, examining how international trade and market openness can strengthen democratic institutions...