This document discusses mobilizing local expertise for evidence-based policy planning and implementation in Africa. It outlines key messages around the importance of good policies based on local evidence. It argues that currently, knowledge and policy spheres are disconnected in many countries, with limited use of local expertise. The document proposes linking data, analysis, capacity building, and policy through coordinated strategies and partnerships between governments, research organizations, and other actors. It identifies several key elements to create an environment for evidence-based policy, including improved data systems, engaging local expertise networks, effective coordination, knowledge management systems, and inclusive policy dialogue.
This document discusses the role of Joint Sector Reviews (JSRs) in supporting the Malabo Biennial Review process for mutual accountability in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). It defines mutual accountability and outlines the principles and roadmap for undertaking JSRs at the country level. JSRs create a platform to assess agricultural sector performance, results, and implementation of commitments. The document also discusses the initiation process for country JSRs, partnerships to support JSR implementation, progress on JSR assessments, and the processes for JSR reporting and reviews at the country, regional, and continental levels to feed into the Malabo Biennial Review.
This document discusses two questions: how governments have used recent Agriculture Public Expenditure Reviews (Ag PERs), and how to make Ag PERs more useful. It finds that Ag PERs have been used to improve strategic planning, expenditure levels and composition, budget processes, communications and accountability, and mobilize external finance. However, some problem areas identified in Ag PERs have not been acted upon, such as whether recurrent budgets are sufficient to sustain investment scale-up or provide essential public services. It also notes challenges in coordinating central and devolved expenditure authorities and linking expenditure to sector outcomes. Solutions proposed include routine "Ag PER Lite" analyses, strengthening analytical capacity, and improving data and monitoring and evaluation systems.
This document discusses mobilizing local expertise for evidence-based policy planning and implementation in Africa. It outlines key messages around the importance of good policies based on local evidence. It argues that currently, knowledge and policy spheres are disconnected in many countries, with limited use of local expertise. The document proposes linking data, analysis, capacity building, and policy through coordinated strategies and partnerships between governments, research organizations, and other actors. It identifies several key elements to create an environment for evidence-based policy, including improved data systems, engaging local expertise networks, effective coordination, knowledge management systems, and inclusive policy dialogue.
This document discusses the role of Joint Sector Reviews (JSRs) in supporting the Malabo Biennial Review process for mutual accountability in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). It defines mutual accountability and outlines the principles and roadmap for undertaking JSRs at the country level. JSRs create a platform to assess agricultural sector performance, results, and implementation of commitments. The document also discusses the initiation process for country JSRs, partnerships to support JSR implementation, progress on JSR assessments, and the processes for JSR reporting and reviews at the country, regional, and continental levels to feed into the Malabo Biennial Review.
This document discusses two questions: how governments have used recent Agriculture Public Expenditure Reviews (Ag PERs), and how to make Ag PERs more useful. It finds that Ag PERs have been used to improve strategic planning, expenditure levels and composition, budget processes, communications and accountability, and mobilize external finance. However, some problem areas identified in Ag PERs have not been acted upon, such as whether recurrent budgets are sufficient to sustain investment scale-up or provide essential public services. It also notes challenges in coordinating central and devolved expenditure authorities and linking expenditure to sector outcomes. Solutions proposed include routine "Ag PER Lite" analyses, strengthening analytical capacity, and improving data and monitoring and evaluation systems.
The document summarizes the African Union's process for conducting a Biennial Review on the implementation of the Malabo Declaration by member states. It outlines the commitments under the Malabo Declaration, the indicators used to assess country performance, and the coordination mechanism for preparing country and regional reports. Member states are scored on 43 indicators across 7 commitment areas. Country scorecards are generated to show progress, with scores below the 2017 benchmark indicating areas that are "not on track" to meet Malabo targets. The summary provides an example scorecard for Country A and highlights areas of strong performance and those requiring attention.
- Joint Sector Reviews (JSRs) in countries like Ghana and Rwanda assess progress and support accountability in the agriculture sector.
- Agriculture Public Expenditure Reviews (AgPERs) can provide essential outputs to inform specific objectives of JSRs, such as expenditures on value chains, technologies, and sector priorities.
- However, AgPERs are sometimes inadequate, providing lists of achievements without corresponding budget or expenditure information.
- For comprehensive accountability analysis, future AgPERs should include more frequent, flexible analyses of effectiveness and efficiency, while also capturing reliable expenditure data from all major stakeholders, not just government.
This document introduces the "AgPER Lite" approach for conducting regular, lighter and quicker annual public expenditure analyses in agriculture to support better budgeting and policy decisions. Key points:
- AgPER Lite analyses would focus on major expenditure changes and currently debated issues, using up-to-date data from a reliable source.
- The analyses would have separate sections for data/trends (updated annually) and a re-written key analysis section each year.
- 2-3 agricultural expenditure "issues" would be selected each year related to policy effectiveness and linked to performance reviews or budget preparation.
- The analyses could be conducted with around 3 months effort by 3 people per year, establishing reusable data