AFR Observatory on monitoring and evaluating procurement reform programs Working for a world free of poverty

Overview  Background  Methodology  Outcomes Working for a world free of poverty

Background  Government progress with action plans is summarized in this AFR Observatory, indicating comparative progress for 38 countries with procurement reform activities;  Action plans and the reform programs arising from completed fiduciary assessment were integrated in Poverty Reduction Support Credits (PRSCs) and other lending instruments as part of the triggers for meeting the key fiduciary objectives and were carefully monitored;  The improvement of national procurement systems were monitored and measured on a quarterly basis, maintaining a constant pressure and dialogue on getting progress;  The AFR Observatory is also an input for Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) and PRSC preparation and a source of information for the Country Management Units; Working for a world free of poverty

Methodology Other relevant information has been provided: Donors’ involvement: IDA and other Donor support initiatives have been instrumental in promoting public procurement reforms in these countries; Capacity building initiatives: Governments are carrying out capacity building programs tailored to the needs of each country, which usually include disseminating and publicizing procurement laws to various stakeholders; Country Procurement Risk rating: actual performance of procurement system has been assessed based on Africa Procurement Team knowledge, which has allowed determining the procurement risk associated with performance Working for a world free of poverty

Outcomes  Based on all the collected information and knowledge, the assessment has been divided into the three following categories: Advanced Stage of the Reform. Criteria for the Maturity Stage are actively being pursued but have not yet been fully achieved. Some criteria (such as Independent Fiduciary Control and effective Anti- Corruption measures) still need further improvement;  Average Progress. The Reform Process is underway but sustained action by both the Government and the Bank is needed to maintain momentum or no actions has been undertaken since the last update;  Initial Progress in the Implementation of the Reform. Initial measures of procurement reform are being taken but progress is still weak. Pro-active Bank and other donors involvement is needed to get the reform process under way. Working for a world free of poverty AFR Countries outcomes Uganda

Outcomes by countries 1 Working for a world free of poverty  Out of 13 selected anglophone countries 1, the main outcomes are:  Pillar I: –77% have adopted a modern procurement law; –69% have news SBDs, manuals … ;  Pillar II: –62% have set up a regulatory body; –38% have integrated procurement into the budget chain; –46% have developed a capacity building strategy.  Pillar III: –62% have developed procurement training modules; –23% considered the private sector is efficient and that there are no major constraints in the bidding process; –46% have included dispute resolution mechanisms  Pillar IV: –23% considered that Audit and control mechanisms exist; –38% considered that appeal mechanisms through an independent body; –23% considered that access to information exists; –15% have developed an E-procurement framework; –69% have included anti-corruption and ethics measures. 1 Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, SL, Sudan,Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia

Lessons learned Working for a world free of poverty  Most of the selected countries have now a sound legal and regulatory and framework;  Building institutions is the next critical step;  Accountabilty, enforcement of sanctions, and information sharing in also critical to have a transparent, economic, efficient and competitive national procurement system.  In summary, the objective to be achieved is to have acceptable national procurement systems (which include not only procedures, regulations and institutions but also well functioning institutions and capacity to implement.