Sector, Thematic and Policy Reviews

Abstract: The review underscores the fact that while health challenges in Africa and costeffective solutions to most of them are well known, there is serious financing deficit by the governments and the donor community. This is despite several national and international resolutions that they have subscribed to, and a growing recognition that the health sector is central to development through a mutually reinforcing relationship between health and economic growth. Based on the assessment of Bank effectiveness in health sector by using the evaluation criteria of relevance, efficacy, efficiency, sustainability and institutional development, the report urges the Management of the Bank to undertake significant steps to improve the quality of the health portfolio.

Abstract: This report reviewed the Bank’s assistance in strengthening the urban water supply and sanitation entities in RMCs. It evaluated the institutional development over the years and its impact on the effectiveness of the urban water supply and sanitation services. The review also highlighted the trend overtime and the Bank’s recent initiatives towards achieving sustainable water resources development and improving service delivery of urban water supply and sanitation entities in RMCs.

Abstract: This Evaluation aims to determine the extent of realization of the Bank’s Environmental Policy of 1990 through its initiatives to foster environmentally sound projects. The Evaluation focused on projects implemented after the 1990 Environmental Policy was issued.

Abstract: The African Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank and the UNDP jointly launched the Social Dimensions of Adjustment (SDA) program in Africa in May 1988, with a view to preventing structural adjustment and economic reform programs from causing excessive difficulties to the poor and the vulnerable, and integrating such persons into the economy. Pursuant to its mission to ensure the economic development and social progress of its regional member countries, the Bank under ADF-V (1988-90) and ADF-VI (1991-93) financed projects in 13 regional member countries (RMC), within the SDA Regional Program framework. The overall purpose of the study is to evaluate the Bank’s experience on SDA projects and structural adjustment programs (SAP) with an SDA component. It evaluates the performance of such operations to draw lessons and make recommendations that would contribute to improving the Bank’s modus operandi, especially with regard to its assistance to poverty reduction.

Abstract: The review of the Bank’s experience was conducted on an initial sample of 20 projects in 15 RMCs distributed in all the regions of intervention, over a 15-year period (1983-1998). However, some ten projects fulfilling the criteria for microcredit activities under AMINA were examined following the recommendations of the in-house task force. The projects studied under the review were not fully consistent with the guidelines on poverty reduction and women in development in rural areas. Their design and implementation are not actually geared towards overall rural sector development. In practice, all activities of these projects are focused on financing agricultural sector development and their effects in this domain are difficult to measure in the absence of objective indicators, and of a monitoring and evaluation system that can generate data on the sub-projects financed.

Abstract: The study has served the Bank well as it was performed at an opportune time when the Bank was planning the revision of the existing Environmental Policy and Procedures. As reflected in the attached matrix, a majority of the recommendations made in the study has been implemented or are under implementation. The revision of Bank’s Environmental Policy and Environmental Review Procedures, which are currently underway, will further reinforce the implementation of the action plan and help improve the environmental management of Bank financed projects and programs.

Abstract: As stated in the report, the unstable sectoral, technological and policy environment has rendered outdated all operational lessons and recommendations based on this review and specific to the sector. Taking that warning into account, it may be concluded from this review that the Bank’s involvement is satisfactory overall. However, that performance is highly attenuated by the Bank’s general slowdown in the field for not having a telecommunications policy or strategy policy, unlike in other infrastructure and utility sectors. This weakness should be overcome as a priority if the Bank is to maintain its knowledge capital in the sector and possibly regain the de facto leadership role it played until recently. In subsequent paragraphs, the study reviews the general lessons applicable to project implementation and summarizes relevant recommendations drawn from various PCRs and PPERs.

Abstract: This is the first review of the implementation and effectiveness of the Bank’s environmental policy since it was approved by the Board in 1990. During the past nine years many changes have taken place including a major reorganisation of the Bank staff and structure during 1995 - 96. There is also an evolving change in Africa with a greater awareness of the need to integrate ecological stability and social concerns into development activities. The African Development Bank is a unique African institution and reflects the changing values on the continent. The review notes the reflection of that change in the evolving importance of environment from the ADF-VI Lending Policy to a central pillar of development in the ADF-VIII Lending Policy. In that respect the implementation of the Bank’s Environmental Policy is of prime importance as one of the leading instruments of change in its RMC constituency.