Report on the programmatic activities of the NEPAD agency for the period: January to June 2011

Introduction - Insights on strategic activities

1. On behalf of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, I am pleased to present this Report on the major programmatic activities for the period: January to June 2011, to the 17^th AU Summit processes in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from June 23-1 July 2011. 
2. 2011 marks the 10^th anniversary of the adoption of NEPAD as the flagship programme of the African Union (AU) for the socio-economic transformation of the continent, by African Heads of State and Government in Lusaka, Zambia in July 2001. In 2003, the Second AU Assembly agreed to integrate NEPAD into the structures and processes of the African Union. The integration process was finalized with the Decision of the 14^th AU Assembly of February 2010. In particular, the integration of NEPAD into the AU led to the establishment of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency as the technical body of the AU with specific mandate, thereby re-energizing the implementation of the NEPAD Programme.
3. The transition from the NEPAD Secretariat to the NEPAD Agency has been progressing smoothly under the supervisory authority of the AUC Chairperson. The change management is giving opportunity space for the new NEPAD institutional entity to focus on delivering the AU-NEPAD vision and its implementation-focused mandate. Likewise, the Agency’s Strategic Direction based on the AUC Strategic Plan: 2009 – 2012 has been endorsed by the NEPAD HSGOC, while NPCA has formally adopted and now operates African Union rules, regulations and practices for the Human Resources, Finance and Administration systems.
4. Accordingly, the NPCA de-linking process from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) policy framework led to the full adoption the AU Regulatory Framework effective from 1 January 2011. For the management of Human Resources, NPCA now implements AU Staff Rules and Regulations. The NPCA has also migrated from DBSA employment contracts to AU contracts for staff of the NPCA effective 1 January 2011. Staff Members of the NEPAD Regional Networks have also been re-integrated into the Agency.
5. Equally, the NEPAD payroll system has been configured, established and operational with effect from 1 January 2011, making NPCA fully responsible for the management of its payroll function, which used to be managed by DBSA. The proposed Profile and Organizational Structure for the Agency has been finalized in close collaboration with the AUC Task Team on Structures and awaiting the necessary approval of the PRC through its Sub-Committee on Structures. The PRC Sub-Committee on NEPAD which convened in May 2011 in Addis Ababa has already endorsed the proposed NPCA organizational structure. The urgent adoption of the NPCA structure is paramount for the operation of the NPCA as the technical body of the AU.
6. From the above operating environment, the NEPAD Agency carried out major programmatic activities within the evolving context of:

a. Growth strategies derived from the AUC Strategic Plan: 2009-2012 and the NPCA Strategic Direction: 2010-2013, to support effective delivery of the Agency’s mandate;

b. Taking forward the key outcomes of the 16^th AU Assembly and the 24^th Meeting of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) held in January, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and

c. Continued mobilization of resources and active partnership engagement of African and global stakeholders towards implementation of Africa’s reform agenda.

The thematic activities were executed within the NPCA mandate, namely to:

    i.    Facilitate and coordinate the implementation of continental and regional priority programmes and projects;

    ii.    Mobilize resources and partners in support of programmes and projects implementation

    iii.    Monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and projects

    iv.    Conduct and coordinate research and knowledge management  

    v.    Advocate on the AU and NEPAD vision, mission and core principles/values 

Highlights of major accomplishments and performance of the NEPAD Agency for the review period are presented along the six (6) thematic priorities of the Agency:

-     Agriculture and Food Security

-     Regional Integration and Infrastructure

-     Climate Change & Natural Resources Management

-     Human Development

-     Economic and Corporate Governance

-     Crosscutting Issues (Capacity Development, Gender and ICT)