Project Appraisal Reports

Abstract: The AfDB Poverty Reduction Budget Support Programme constitutes a discrete component within the Gambia General Budget Support Program (GBSP), which has been jointly conceived with the World Bank and European Union. Its overarching objective is to contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction through policy and institutional reforms. The proposed program is consistent with the goals of the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2007-2011) and in particular focuses on the first pillar of the PRSP (2007-2011): “strengthening economic management and public service delivery”. The objectives of the program are mainly three: (i) promote efficiency, transparency and accountability in the use of public resources through effective budget planning, auditing and increased revenue mobilization; (ii) improve public services delivery through civil service reforms; and (iii) provide budget support to absorb the fiscal and balance of payments impact of the global food crisis, which manifested itself in the escalation of imported food and fuel prices.

Abstract: The Support to a Network of African Institutions of Science and Technology Project is based on the premise that it is cost-effective to promote and enhance linkages among African S&T institutions to pool resources through networks established as poles of excellence, and build on the strengths of the respective institutions. As such, the Project seeks to provide a regional consolidated response to the need for high-level expertise in science and engineering in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by expanding equitable access and improving the quality and relevance of higher education and research through the enhancement of a pole of excellence in science and technology (S&T) in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. Indeed, it is increasingly recognized that the availability of a critical mass of water, energy and environmental scientists and engineers are essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in health, education and economic growth, hence the crucial need for high quality and relevant training programs. By building skills and strengthening knowledge, tertiary institutions can provide countries with the capacity to generate growth and accelerate economic development. The Project outcomes include: (i) increased access to quality engineering and science education; (ii) enhanced relevance through linkages with the productive sector; (iii) harmonized certification of academic degrees in ECOWAS region; (iv) strengthened public-private partnerships (PPP) in the provision of quality HEST training; and (v) enlarged regional and institutional networking in S&T. The Project will be implemented over a 3-year period at a cost of UA12.00 million and will benefit all countries in the ECOWAS region and beyond.