NML’s Proof of Concept

NML has built its systems approach over nearly two decades of experience, starting with a successful proof of concept (TransFarm Africa), developed in partnership with the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, that demonstrated the role of the legal and regulatory environment in unlocking emerging market opportunity and enhancing food security. This proof of concept also produced real results: improvements in the design and implementation of domestic regulations spurred the commercialization of the potato sector in Tanzania and contributed to development of an agricultural corridor (Tanzania Food Corporation/Mtanga Foods in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania SAGCOT corridor), resulting in a tenfold increase in yields for thousands of farmers, jobs for men and women on- and off-farm, and incorporation of regulatory good practices at the regional level (see Katrin Kuhlmann “Mapping Inclusive Law and Regulation: A Comparative Agenda for Trade and Development,” 2 African Journal of International Economic Law 48 (2021) and Global Impact Investing Network Case Study, Improving Livelihoods, Removing Barriers). Since this initial proof of concept, NML has conducted a number of iterative studies that link the initial work with Mtanga Foods to national and regional level legal design and implementation.