" [1]NEPAD’s Programmes have performed exceptionally well in the last twelve months, achieving most of the set targets in the areas of knowledge advancement; development of institutional and human capacity and contribution to progress in Africa. This has been achieved through expert support to countries for policy; planning and programme design; enhancing institutional collaboration and coordination, public dialogue and briefs, and training.
Managed under the Programme Implementation and Coordination Directorate (PICD), the various programmes have been implemented with emphasis on advancing regional integration and the socio-economic development of African member states.
In the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) over 40 countries are actively engaged at different levels. CAADP focuses on improving food security, nutrition, and increasing incomes in Africa's largely farming based economies. It does this by raising agricultural productivity by at least six per cent per year and increasing public investment in agriculture to 10 per cent of national budgets per year.
The agricultural sector in Africa grew by 3.2 per cent a year, in the 10 years of CAADP implementation, which although moderate, is the highest average for the last four decades and is beginning to show signs of improving the lives of poor people. This growth can be attributed to the CAADP emphasis on increase productivity as well as private-public investment in the agriculture sector
On environment and sustainable development, NEPAD’s role at the United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development (Rio+20) Summit in Brazil, saw the inclusion of in the which NEPAD’s Framework as Africa’s Sustainable Development strategy as well as a call for development partners to strengthen cooperation with NEPAD to enhance support for Africa’s development.
Through the Partnership for African Fisheries Programme (PAF), which works to empower the fisheries sector by facilitating access to financial institutions, particularly to small-scale and grassroots fishermen, the a number of policy studies that show a significant contribution of the fishery sector to the economy of the member states and the sub region.
The Rural Futures Programme, through the various stakeholder dialogues, the issue of rural transformation as a key to any pathway for African’s development is now widely recognised in our policy discourse and planning processes at all levels. This is a people-centred rural transformation programme based on equity and inclusiveness, where rural men and women can develop their potential and reach their aspirations, including income security, whilst securing environmental sustainability.
The Gender, Climate Change and Agriculture programme undertook a broad consultative planning process in five member states the outcomes highlighting the policy, organization and investment issues to fully empower women small holder farmers.
“2012 has been a whirlwind of a year. I want to recognise the efforts of all my colleagues and thank them must sincerely for their commitment to serving Africa. Our Development partners have also made substantial contribution to the relevance of the work of NPCA and for this we are appreciative for without their contribution we would not have achieved our objectives,” said Estherine Fotabong, Director of PICD.
In all its programmes, NEPAD has built strong Partnerships with development partners resulting in both technical cooperation and funding support which have made a substantial contribution to the relevance of the Agency’s work.
Estherine Fotabong, NEPAD’s Head of Programme Implementation and Coordination Directorate (PICD)
Limited institutional capacity in Regional Economic Communities and the member states to implement the programmes, as well as the transition phrase of the Agency which meant limited number of staff, strong dependence of partner funding for programmes, are some of the challenges faced this year.
Added to these are changes in the priorities of Development Partners affecting duration and ability to scale up and or replicate good programmes. According to Ms Fotabong, there are rooms for improvement on these programmes, which include robust coordination of the programmes on the continent through the RECs and Member States. The engagement and communication between the NEPAD Agency and the RECs, as well as Member States need to be improved. It is pertinent for the RECs and Member States to be very aware of the NEPAD programmes and what it requires to implement the programmes successfully.
Secondly, there should be a resource mobilisation strategy that includes domestic resource mobilization in addition to external funding. The Agency cannot depend on external donors alone to fund the programmes, given that sustainable development on the continent requires about US$200 Billion annually.
Also, our Programmes require effective monitoring and evaluation framework to identify the impacts of the programmes on the continent, as well as areas for improvement.
NEPAD will continue to adjust to challenges brought about by development issues and focus on delivery of results and impacts in the creation of wealth, jobs and incomes. The strategic thrust would be on the building of institutional capacity for policy and leadership; provision of knowledge, information and skills and mobilisation of resources for investment action.
