Sector, Thematic and Policy Reviews

Abstract: Performance indicators (PIs) are essential in the transport as well as other sectors to improve the quality of Bank Group portfolio. Their need arises from the increasing emphasis being placed by the Borrowers and the Bank Group on a more definitive range of clear /explicit objectives which projects would serve. The need for indicators also stems from increasing concern for better management of the entire project cycle, including more systematic monitoring of implementation and broad based tracking of development impact.

Abstract: In recognition of the role of the transport sector in the economic and social development of Regional Member Countries (RMCs), the African Development Bank Group has provided since 1967, a large number of loans and grants for the implementation of transport sector projects, notably road sub-sector projects. Although Bank Group Transport Sector Policy was made only in 1992, earlier interventions in the sector met the policy objectives as declared later. Under the policy, emphasis was placed on a development strategy, which included the rehabilitation of existing roads and achieving a balanced allocation of scarce financial resources between new construction and rehabilitation of existing roads, and accorded particular importance to the construction of rural roads. This policy also emphasised the economic integration of Africa, through: (I) establishment and development of reliable regional or international road transport systems; (2) the mobilisation of internal resources and the use of road funds; and (3) the application of appropriate road user charging and taxation methods to increase revenue and improve cost recovery. The objective of the study was to analyse the Bank Group's experience from road projects and to identify the principal findings, lessons and appropriate recommendations that would help in improving the identification, preparation, appraisal, and implementation of the on-going and future operations of the Bank Group. The study serves also as an important element of the Bank Group's feedback mechanism.

Abstract: The Study reviews the Bank experience in the sub-sector and makes an assessment of development effectiveness and efficacy and impact of Bank assistance. It also examines matters connected with sector reforms, institutional development, efficiency of implementation and sustainability and has identified a number of key issues of special relevance to the water supply and sanitation sub-sector. Even though lessons and recommendations of the study have been derived from the water supply and sanitation projects, a number of them could be of equal relevance to other sectors and sub-sectors as well.

Abstract: AMINA was unable to achieve its strategic objective due to a number of flaws in the design of the pilot program. The contradictions in the design were exacerbated by poor internal program management, including lack of strategic planning, poor human resource management, poor document management, and lack of understanding of the Bank’s institutional environment.

Abstract: This note present the Sugar sub-sector experience study

Abstract: Multiple-component rural development projects of the eighties were difficult to implement, certainly due to institutional weaknesses and the inadequate human resource capacity in borrowing countries. However, that fact does not contradict the relevance of the strategy and objectives of rural development projects. In the etymological sense of the term, the aim of such projects was not to combat poverty but to improve the living standard of rural dwellers. Thus, their stated ambition was to contribute to reducing poverty. It is true that for the projects reviewed and whose appraisal reports go back to the early eighties, even though the word "poverty" is not expressly stated, the designers clearly had the concept in mind.

Abstract: Vu l’importance du secteur de microfinance, le Fonds africain de développement (FAD), a, dans le cadre de la Septième reconstitution de ses ressources, affecté une dotation de 15 millions d’UC en faveur d’un programme pilote appelé «Initiative de microfinance du FAD pour l’Afrique – AMINA», initiative visant à engendrer des revenus et à fournir des emplois aux groupes les plus pauvres de la société, en accordant une attention particulière aux femmes entrepreneurs.

Abstract: On the whole, the programmes under review obtained encouraging outcomes but their macro-economic performance remained poor, and required further structural reforms to stabilize the macro-economic framework. The performance was positively influenced or affected by exogenous factors during programme implementation, which could jeopardize sustainability of the positive impacts of the programmes. It should be pointed out that the programmes did not contribute to improving the social indicators and solving the crucial problems of unemployment and poverty, which remain critical despite a few measures and initiatives taken to solve them. As indicated earlier, the sectoral performance remains very poor and not influenced by the structural measures implemented under the programmes.

Abstract: This present report is a continuation of that earlier OPEV effort. Its purpose is to review Bank Group experience with a subset of policy-based lending – sectoral adjustment programmes. Sectoral adjustment programmes (SECALs) are aimed at addressing adjustment issues in a specific sector of the economy. In other words, the aim is to deepen and fine-tune the adjustment process in a given sector. As an increasing number of African countries undergo the initial phase of the adjustment process, the need to fine-tune and deepen that process would become more obvious. Hence SECALs would probably and gradually replace the conventional economy-wide adjustment programmes as tools of economic reform. This report reviews Bank Group experience in trade and/or industry adjustment programmes. The aim is to draw relevant lessons for the Bank that could be useful in future operations. One of the major findings of this report is that while SECAL is quite desirable, particularly as an instrument for deepening the reform process, it does not perform well in an unstable macroeconomic environment. A major recommendation that flows from this finding is that the Bank should ensure that the macroeconomy is stable before it introduces a sectoral adjustment programme.

Abstract: The physical implementation (infrastructure, furniture and equipment) of education projects, particularly those of the scientific, technical and vocational training sub-sector, is satisfactory. However, the problems of maintenance remain sources of concern. The absence or inadequacy of the cost recovery systems (registration and school fees) and the difficulty for the Governments to allocate the necessary funds to the operating budgets of the structures created diminished the sustainability of the positive effects of these projects. The socio-economic impact of these projects is often difficult to measure owing to the shortcomings of the statistical information systems. However, it is possible to confirm that improvement in the job accessibility for the target beneficiaries of these projects was low owing to the insufficient macro-economic performance of the States.

Abstract: The Study covers seven sugar estates and one smallholder scheme financed by the Bank. The total number of loans to these projects amounted to UA 300 million (US$ 416 million) or 73% of total Bank lending to the sector. Five projects concerned the rehabilitation of existing sugar complexes (Bacita and Savannah in Nigeria, Lugazi and Kakira in Uganda and Mafambisse in Mozambique); two projects involved the development of new sugar complexes (Simunye in Swaziland and Finchaa in Ethiopia), while one project was for the development of a nucleus estate together with a smallholders project (Kaleya in Zambia). Three of the projects (Simunye, Kaleya and Lugazi) were financed in the early 1980s, while the rest were financed about a decade later. The production base for all the estates is irrigated cane, with the exception of Kakira and Lugazi in Uganda, which are principally rain-fed estates. All the estates produce for the domestic market, except for Simunye, which exports a sizeable amount of its production outside the South African Currency Union (SACU) area.

Abstract: A review of the document entitled Review of the Bank’s Experience in Rural Health (Ref. Board Documents ADBIBD/WPI99/11~ ‘and ADF/BD/WP/99/15 dated 27 January 1999) prepared by the Operations Evaluation Department (OPEV) has been undertaken by the Operations Complex. The purpose of the review was to assess the fmdings and recommendations from OPEV with a view of ensuring that necessary corrective measures are taken accordingly.

Abstract: The document present the Matrix of Recommandations and Follow-up actions of the Review of Road and Railway Transport Projects

Abstract: This document present the comments by the Operations Complex and an Action Plan on the Review of the Bank’s Experience in Rural Health (ADB/BD/IF/99/11 -ADF/BD/WP/99/15) distributed on 02 February 1999

Abstract: The sectoral goals and objectives of rural health projects have, on the whole, been consistent with the health care policies of the Bank and member countries, even for projects approved prior to the adoption of the Bank’s Health Policy in 1987. However, many problems were noted in respect of rural health, despite some significant improvements between 1977 and 1991, primarily concerning the effective implementation of the policy.

Abstract: Total Bank loans to the 10 projects examined under this review amounts to UA 122.07 million, representing an average of 15.9% of the project costs. Bank financing went primarily to civil engineering (8 out of the 10 projects). It also financed electromechanical equipment in three projects as well as the training and resettlement of populations (1 project). On the whole, the implementation of the ten (10) projects was satisfactory. Six projects are considered to have performed satisfactorily as they have attained the results defined at appraisal. Three of the multi-purpose dam projects have failed to perform satisfactorily.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to assess the socio-economic impact of the sixteen ADB electricity-sector interventions on the target end-user groups in the three countries. The projects, in general, have been effectively implemented and have functioned as intended. In all cases, they appear to have had positive impacts, although the general lack of preproject baseline studies does not permit these to be quantified with any precision.