First AfCoP Steering Committee takes stock of progress of US $12.6-million project
Members of the African Community of Practice (AfCoP) Steering Committee met on September 14 in Abidjan to review performance and provide strategic guidance on the African Development Bank-executed AfCoP project.
The AfCoP project, valued at US $12.6 million, is geared at promoting results-based development, evidence-based decision-making, and regional integration on the continent through knowledge and best practice solution sharing. Funded under the multi-donor African Development Fund, it is implemented by the AfCoP Secretariat, which is managed by the Bank’s Quality Assurance and Results (ORQR) and Human and Social Development (OSHD) Departments.
Steve Kayizzi-Mugerwa, the Bank’s Acting Chief Economist and Vice-President, and AfCoP Steering Committee chair, highlighted the AfCoP project’s uniqueness in enhancing regional integration and managing for development results capacity on the continent. Echoing his sentiments, Quality Assurance and Results Department Director Simon Mizrahi emphasized the importance of the project as it responds to the Bank’s commitment to support the development effectiveness agenda in regional member countries, including strengthening transparency and accountability. Human and Social Development Acting Director Sunita Pitamber encouraged the Steering Committee members to explore options for improving the project’s delivery, effectiveness and sustainability.
Sharing on the project’s progress, Victoria Chisala, Division Manager for Results Reporting and AfCoP Secretariat Coordinator, cited its contributions in improving public financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and policy coherence across Africa.
A second meeting of the Steering Committee is planned for October 2015.