Policy Documents

Abstract: The Policy and Guidelines on Cooperation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) reflect Bank Group’s commitment to enhance its relations with civil society. The document complements other Bank Group resources including the Bank’s Handbook on Consultation and Participation, the Easy Reference Guides, various Bank sector policy documents. It is composed of three parts: • Part I, which outlines the Operations Manual. • Bank’s policy on cooperation with CSOs, which is complemented by a Part II Action Plan (attached as Appendix A) for its implementation. This provides operational guidelines on the implementation of the policy based on instruments available to the Bank. • Part III that outlines institutional and resource requirements for the implementation of the policy

Abstract: The Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund have approved proposals aimed at simplifying the procedures for approval of operations. According to the new procedures, policy documents and projects and programs, which are considered complex in nature, and those, which are above the threshold of UA 10 million, will continue to be approved under the standard procedure. This procedure requires prior discussion at the Boards prior to approval. Projects and programs, which are considered non complex, and those that are below, or equal to, the threshold amount of UA 10 million will be approved using the lapse-of-time procedure. In addition to increasing the efficiency of the Boards through focusing their meeting time more on strategy and policy issues, the new procedures will also contribute towards greater harmonization of the Bank’s practice with emerging best practices in multilateral development banks.

Abstract: The Environmental Policy sets out the broad strategic and policy framework under which all Bank Group lending and non-lending operations will be made to promote environmentally sustainable development in Africa. Its overall goals are two-fold: firstly, to help improve the quality of life of the people of Africa; and secondly, to help preserve and enhance the ecological capital and life-support systems across the continent of Africa. The development of the policy has been driven by a number of factors, including: the recognition and acceptance of sustainable development as the dominant development paradigm for the 21st century; the need for a greater focus on pro-poor growth policies and programs to counter unacceptable impoverishment rates; the rapid progress in the inevitable integration of Africa in the globalization process; and the need for an improved governance with a clearer commitment of the majority of African governments to provide the necessary leadership for sustainable development. The policy recognizes the considerable constraints facing Africa, but also its endowment with minerals, rich flora and fauna as well as large tracts of rainforest. To help implement the policy, the Bank will leverage the considerable progress made in developing appropriate tools for effective mainstreaming of environmental sustainability issues in its operations. This includes using a set of approaches and developing/strengthening procedures and guidelines, with particular focus on the full enforcement of the Environmental and Social Assessment Procedures for all lending operations of the Bank.

Abstract: This Bank Group’s Gender Policy defines the commitment of the African Development Bank (the Bank) to promote gender mainstreaming as a means of fostering poverty reduction, economic development and gender equality on the continent. The policy elaborates the key concepts and approaches that support gender and development issues and seeks to provide, among other things, a requisite framework for action, which will ensure equal access to women and men of all Bank resources and opportunities. It also contains a summary of the evolution in perspectives and practices designed to integrate gender/women into the development process that have taken place in the last thirty years. The policy outlines both institutional and operational strategies to be used in its implementation.

Abstract: The main objective of the Bank Group’s Policy on Poverty is to provide a framework for action by putting poverty reduction at the centre of Bank support for its RMCs especially in their efforts to prepare, implement, and evaluate their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs); and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a context of development effectiveness. The Policy demonstrates the Bank’s recognition of poverty reduction as its overarching goal and identifies sectoral priorities and discusses operational issues in this respect. It has been developed on a theoretical framework in which the concept of poverty is broadened from the simple basic need approach to incorporate broader issues like human dignity, social inclusion, inequality and vulnerability to risk. This new framework stretches beyond just human capital to other forms of capital including social, political, cultural and natural capital. The policy also recognizes now existing approaches in development assistance, which seek greater national ownership of poverty reduction strategies, the role of civil society in the formulation and implementation of poverty reduction policies and programs and the greater importance given to the impact of poverty interventions on improving the welfare of the poor. To this end, Bank’s Poverty Policy seeks to foster the identification of pro-poor policies to improve on a set of indicators of poverty.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Bank Group involuntary resettlement policy is intended to address the involuntary displacement of people caused by Bank funded operations in public and private sector. It applies when a project results in relocation or loss of shelter by the persons residing in the project area, assets being lost or livelihoods being affected. The primary goal of the involuntary resettlement policy is to ensure that when people must be displaced they are treated equitably, and that they share in the benefits of the project that involves their resettlement. The borrowing agency has the primary responsibility for planning, implementing and monitoring resettlement issues. The borrower will be required to prepare a full resettlement plan (FRP) for any project that involve a significant number of people (200 or more persons) who would need to be displaced with a loss of assets, or access to assets or reduction in their livelihood. For any project involving the resettlement of less than 200 persons, an abbreviated resettlement plan will be released together with the environmental annex of the Bank’s Appraisal Report. The full resettlement plan and the abbreviated resettlement plan should be posted in the Bank’s Public Information Centre (PIC) and the Bank’s website for public review and comments in accordance to the Bank’s disclosure policy and the Bank’s Environmental and Social Assessment Procedures (ESAP 2001). Compensation at the full replacement cost for loss of lands and other assets should be paid prior to projects .The full costs of resettlement activities necessary to achieve the objectives of the project should be included in the total costs of the project.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.

Abstract: The Boards of Directors, on March 19, 2008, approved a new policy on expenditures eligibility for Bank Group financing (Board Document ADB/BD/WP/2007/106/Rev.2 and ADF/BD/WP/2007/72/Rev.2). The objective of the new policy is to strengthen the Bank's focus on results through greater alignment of the expenditure eligibility policy on the development priorities of regional member countries (RMC). The new policy also seeks to tailor expenditure eligibility to the specific context of each RMC through the introduction of Country Financing Parameters (CFPs). CFPs provide a framework for determining eligibility of expenditure in each RMC taking into account issues such as the quality of its fiduciary environment, commitment to its development program, productivity of the expenditure, and macroeconomic situation. Overall, Regional Departments will lead the process of developing and disseminating CFPs, in close collaboration with the World Bank. However, towards reducing transactions costs in implementing the new policy, the Boards agreed that Management collaborates closely with the World Bank, including using the CFPs already prepared by this institution pour 38 pays. These CFPs are related to cost sharing/counterpart funds, taxes and duties, recurrent costs and local currency costs.