The CAADP Biennial Review: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Next Steps

1. CAADP M&E Advisor,
AUC - DARBE
The CAADP Biennial Review:
Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Next Steps
Mr. Kenao Lao

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OUTLINES
1. Background
2. Objectives of the Biennial Review
3. Challenges Faced
4. Lessons Learned
5. Next Steps

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1.Background
 The Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) adopted by
the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in 2003 in Maputo (The
Maputo Declaration) as the Flagship Program of the African Union for agriculture and
food security.
 The Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation in June 2014
in Malabo adopted by AU Heads of State and Government sets the Africa 2025 Vision
for Agriculture implemented within the Framework of CAADP.
 Among other commitments, the leaders committed to Mutual Accountability to
Results and Actions.

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1.Background
Mutual Accountability to Results and Actions
AU leaders requested AUC and AUDA/NEPAD together with the RECs and Member States, in
collaboration with partner institutions to:
1. Develop mechanisms that enhance Africa’s capacity for knowledge and data generation
and management to strengthen evidence-based planning and implementation.
2. Institutionalize a system for peer review that encourages good performance on
achievement of progress made in implementing the provisions of this Declaration and
recognize biennially exemplary performance through awards.
3. Conduct on a biennial basis, beginning from year 2017, Agricultural Review Process, and
start reporting on progress to the Assembly from its January 2018 Ordinary Session.

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2.Objectives of the Biennial Review
 Biennial Review (BR) processes to report on the implementation of the Malabo Declaration
 7 Malabo commitments translated into 7 thematic areas of performance
Re-committing to the
Principles and Values of the
CAADP Process
Enhancing investment
finance in agriculture
Ending Hunger in Africa by 2025
Halving poverty through
agriculture by 2025
Enhancing resilience to climate
variability
Strengthening mutual accountability to
actions and results
Boosting intra-African trade in agricultural
commodities and services

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2.Objectives of the Biennial Review
Review Process
Data Years 2015 - 2018
2017 2020-2021 2024-2025
2015 - 2020
2015 - 2016 2015 - 2024
2018-2019
Reporting to
AU Assembly
2018 2022 2026
2020
2015 - 2022
2022-2023
2024
Third BR
Inaugural (1st) BR Second BR Fourth BR Fifth BR
 Biennial Review (BR) conduct on a biennial basis

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CAADP Progress Tracking: Biennial Review (BR) is the primary mutual accountability
mechanism that the African Union and its Member States use to track the implementation
of the CAADP.
 The first BR: 47 out of 55 countries participated fully
• 17 out of the 47 were on-track to achieving the target in 2025 (threshold was 3.94)
• Rwanda (1st), Mali (2nd ) and Morocco (3rd ) were the top performers
 The Second BR: 49 out of 55 countries participated fully
• 4 countries were on track (threshold was 6.66)
• Top performers: Rwanda (7.24), Morocco (6.96), Mali (6.82) and Ghana (6.67). 36 made tremendous
progress from BR2
 The Third BR: 51 out of 55 AU countries participated
• Rwanda was on track (passed the threshold of 7.28)
• 21 countries are regarded as progressing well (scored 5 and above, but less than the 7.28 benchmark)
• So far Africa as a continent scores just 4.32 ie not on track
 The Results of the Fourth BR will be released in January/February
2.Objectives of the Biennial Review

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3.Challenges Faced
 Process challenges
• Capacity gap, that affect the entire BR process. The actions in the BR process are well
articulated, however limited by human capacity, financial ..etc. that affects the timeliness,
data quality, limits multistakeholder/sectorial participation/inclusiveness, training etc
• Timeliness issues in collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data.
• Scarce resources for multi-stakeholder validation of draft national BR reports.
• The problem of resource mobilization and its availability on time for countries is a
major challenge
• Limited trained personnel for prompt data collection.
• Limited technical capacity and coordination among CAADP focal points affecting
accurate estimation.
• How to increase member state ownership/commitment to the process

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3.Challenges Faced
 Data challenges
• Suspicious Data Patterns : Repetition of the same numbers over the years casts doubts on
data validity.
• Discrepancies in Indicators :Differences between reported data and expected values for
various indicators, both internally and externally.
• Data Variability and Inconsistencies : Significant variations in reported data from year to
year, indicating inconsistencies in measurement or reporting.
• Verification and Validity : Need to verify how indicators are calculated versus documented
methodologies for accuracy and validity.
• Challenges in External Consistency :Differences between reported data and external
sources question the reliability of reported information.
• Missing Values and Measurement Units :Significant missing values and inconsistency in
measurement units hinder accurate reporting, Numerous instances of missing values across
various indicators.

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4.Lessons Learned
• Capacity Strengthening: The Training sessions aimed at bolstering regional experts' skills in
utilizing updated CAADP BR reporting tools, enhancing their capabilities.
• Knowledge Exchange: Strengthen the sharing of knowledge and BR best practices among
Member States and RECs (promote Per to per learning, exchange visite, etc.).
• Continuous Improvement : the usefulness of the critical analysis process (Critical analysis of the
BR process each 2 years after launch of the report has provided opportunity for lesson learning
and continuous improvement in the BR process and cycle)
• Technical Expertise Strengthening: Prioritizing a deep understanding of technical guidelines and
country reporting templates ensured experts' proficiency in the CAADP Biennial Review process.
• Regional Expert Empowerment: Training 31 experts from diverse RECs expanded the pool of
knowledgeable professionals, empowering regional bodies.
• Tool Familiarity: Training national experts and CAADP teams on the revised roadmap for the
fourth BR report ensured their adeptness with necessary tools and processes.

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4.Lessons Learned
• Knowledge Consistency : The Training sessions provided strived to standardize understanding
across RECs, ensuring consistent knowledge about CAADP BR reporting tools.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Bringing together experts likely fostered collaboration among CAADP
BR experts and stakeholders, promoting networking opportunities.
• Competency Development: Equipping national CAADP experts with requisite competencies
intended to maximize effective utilization of CAADP BR reporting tools.
• Efficient Implementation Facilitation: By preparing regional experts thoroughly, the outcomes
aimed at streamlining the fourth CAADP Biennial Review cycle's execution.
• Regional Strengthening: Empowering experts from diverse RECs aimed at fortifying regional
entities with essential skills for active participation in the CAADP BR process.
• Dialogue Advocacy: Promote regional dialogue to enhance awareness and understanding of the
BR results among stakeholders at national and regional levels. Foster appreciation for multi-
stakeholder perspectives and their roles in the BR processes, and outline key strategies and
recommendations to address performance gaps at both national and regional levels.

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5.Next Steps for the 4th BR Cycle
Activity Timeline
1) Report presentation to the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments for
endorsement.
Jan/Feb 2024
2) Launch of the fourth (4th) Comprehensive African Agriculture Development
Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review (BR) Report, at the side-lines of the Summit
Jan/Feb 2024
3) Capacity building for the Media on the CAADP BR reporting 10th – 12th Feb 2024
4) Printing and Dissemination of the 4th BR Report to MS, RECs, Partners, including Media
engagement. (popular/simplified versions of the report, scorecard and dashboard).
March 2024
5) Training of Trainers on CAADP and Biennial Review (BR) Mechanism: Training of CAADP
& BR Regional experts, Media, Communication experts to support the Post 4th BR Advocacy
and Dialogue, and the 5th BR processes.
March 2024
6) Dialogues (regional and national levels) on country’ performance and BR
recommendations from the 4th BR Report. March – June 2024
7) Peer-to-peer learning sessions on the CAADP BR process and 4th BR report and
process
March – June 2024

13. THANK YOU