The measurement of the impact of the NEPAD Agency’s role in Africa’s transformation will now be more systematic, after the finalisation of a Monitoring and Evaluation draft Policy Framework and a plan on the alignment of programme and projects with the overall institutional system. 

Senior Managers and Heads of Programmes met in the last two day in the north-western town of Magaliesburg to review the draft policy framework and establish consensus on its application to regional programmes and projects

Speaking yesterday at the opening of the workshop, NEPAD CEO Dr Ibrahim Mayaki said “The outcomes of the workshop are important for the future because the success of the Agency is hinged on the tools and systems put in place, hence the need for us to own these tools.”

Dr Mayaki said that NEPAD’s role and specific responsibility was crucial – considering that of all the development initiatives launched in Africa since the 1960s, only NEPAD that has survived, hence the need to relate what the Agency does on a daily basis to the broader picture so that our business is well constructed and perceived as a legacy.  “NPCA has played a fundamental role in shaping the continent between 2001 and 2012 – but do we have the evidence to back-up this assertion?” asked Dr Mayaki

The brainstorming workshop, facilitated by Consultant Monitoring and Evaluation expert Dr Zadi Ubain, reviewed various presentations and best practises on M&E plans and strategies. It was recommended that a special team on M&E be put in place to instutionalise the system, as well as the introduction of a central information system and the hire of four new data analyst experts to support the process.

Overall there was agreement on the need for change in mind-set to embrace a new culture of evidence-based results reporting, sharing information among programmes and develop tools and templates for implementation of the various strategic plans among them a Balanced Scorecard. Training on how these tools and templates will work, will be conducted to ensure effective implementation.