BOAD introduced ex-post project evaluation in its cycle funding for projects since 1991 like other agencies and multilateral development finance institutions. In 2012, the bank has strengthen its position on this sector by setting up a department in charge of this activities. A system of monitoring and evaluation of project development outcomes has been established through project performance evaluation, monitoring and evaluation and socio-economic impact studies for projects financing by BOAD.
PROJECTS PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
BOAD evaluated the performance of four (4) projects, namely, (i) the agroforestry project for fighting against desertification (Phase II) (PAGF II) in Senegal, (ii) the construction of access and throughway roads in Cotonou (phase III): Akossombo junction-Place du Souvenir road in the Republic of Benin, (iii) the paving of streets and construction of drainage structures in Parakou in the Republic of Benin, and (iv) the rehabilitation and construction of drainage structures of Avenue de l’Indépendance in Bamako, Republic of Mali.
The performance of the projects is deemed by and large satisfactory, despite the length of time it takes to get them started and the relatively long time it takes to award and sign contracts. The major recommendations concern (i) maintaining the principle of executing the project by enlisting the support of beneficiaries’ organizations and/or the technical services in the area, which take over after the completion of the project; (ii) the description in the project appraisal document of the major aspects of the monitoring and evaluation mechanism to be implemented, as well as the logical specifying the indicators of the outcome and impact of the project; (iii) the need to request the conceptualization of projects which are specific or which have components dealing with the management of solid household wastes and to contribute towards the financing of these projects in the major towns of the member countries of the Bank; (iv) carrying out on time environmental and social impact studies during the preparation and ex-ante evaluation of projects.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
AD now has a reference system of monitoring and evaluation indicators based on development outcomes. A database has been designed, and will make it possible to archive and analyze the indicators.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES
With the aim of drawing lessons for the continuation of its action and strengthening its impact, the Bank and some of its partners took the initiative to evaluate a cross section of seven (7) projects financed between 1982 and 2006 in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal. The projects are the following:
- Liptako-Gourma Authority (ALG) phase II (Burkina Faso) ;
- Development of the Kou Valley (Burkina Faso) ;
- Ké-Macina hydroagricultural improvement scheme phase I (Mali) ;
- Yelewani hydroagricultural improvement scheme (Niger) ;
- Anambe Basin hydroagricultural improvement scheme phase I (Senegal) ;
- Kassack North hydroagricultural improvement scheme phase II (Senegal) ;
- Agricultural development in the Matam Department (PRODAM) phase I (Senegal).
The overall objective of the evaluation was to appreciate the impact of the seven (7) hydroagricultural improvement schemes on the target populations in the four (4) countries mentioned above (Burkina, Mali, Niger, and Senegal) in relation to the initial objectives of the projects. More specifically, the objective was:
- to examine the extent to which the projects financed by the Bank were relevant and generally effective at sectoral level and in relation to national development objectives;
- to evaluate the impact of each of the projects on the lives of the beneficiary populations;
- to make a clear statement concerning the success or failure of the project. The results expected from this impact study of projects completed 6 to 32 years ago were to make it possible to better understand:
- the impacts of each project on agricultural production and improvement of agriculture, agricultural infrastructure and the improvement of the living conditions of households/beneficiaries;
- the life cylce of each project, from the execution phase up to the date of this study;
- the success and failure factors which might have resulted in the impact noted for each project on its environment, with recommendations to be made into the bargain.
These results should enable each and everyone to draw lessons for the future and for the Bank in particular, to enrich the implementation of its strategic plan which emphasizes the financing of hydroagricultural improvement schemes.
Furthermore, in connection with the promotion of the culture of evaluation in sub regional development banks in Africa, BOAD in collaboration with AfDB, the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the World Bank Group and the Islamic Development Bank, organized from 1 to 3 October 2013 a symposium on the theme: “Challenges of project/programme evaluation and solutions for sub-regional development banks and their partners”. This initiative is part of the sharing of experiences in the area of evaluation.