LLPI Participated in the COMESA M&E Regional Validation Workshop

The Regional Validation Workshop on COMESA Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and Guidelines was held in Nairobi, Kenya on 8th -11th April 2014. The objective of the workshop was to validate the draft COMESA M&E Policy Framework and draft COMESA M&E Guidelines.

The following Members States were represented at the workshop: Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sudan, Swaziland, Seychelles, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The following COMESA Institutions were represented: RIA, LLPI, Court of Justice. UNDP, USAID development partners were also presented. LLPI was represented by its Information Systems Expert Mr. Awlachew Sintie.

The workshop was funded by UNDP and COMESA.

Anne Ndiragu, head of Monitoring and evaluation Unit welcomed participants to the workshop and went on to give a background of activities that preceded this workshop. She introduced participants to the guest of honour Amb. Solitei from the minister of foreign affairs and International Trade and then handed over the meeting to Amb. Dr. Kipyego Cheluget Assistant Secretary General of COMESA  Programmes.

A statement was made by the Assistant Secretary General of COMESA Programmes Amb. Dr. Kipyego Cheluget. He welcomed the delegates to Nairobi. He also thanked the people and government of the Republic of Kenya for agreeing to host the workshop which served to review and endorse the COMESA Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and Guidelines.

Amb.  Cheluget noted that the draft M&E Policy and Guidelines were a critical part of the M&E Framework which would support good programme management and accountability, upholding the principles of accountability and compliance. He further informed the meeting the development of the COMESA 24/7 M&E system and its roll out to Member States as well as the Secretariate’s Capacity building activities in Results Based Management.

He further informed the participants that the implementation of the COMESA M&E Policy and Guidelines will not require legislation in Member States because its implementation is entrenched in the COMESA Treaty, which have been ratified by all Member States. He concluded his brief remarks by wishing the delegated successful deliberations. He then invited Mr. Wilmot Reeves the UNDP Economic Advisor to give his remarks.

Mr. Reeves appreciated and commended the Secretariat for developing the draft COMESA M&E Policy and Guidelines. He noted that the global economy was going through upheavals which had resulted in the reduction of development assistance from development partners. Mr. Reeves stated that there was need therefore to use resources effectively to make a difference in the lives of the people. He noted that M&E plays an important role in this process and stated that the developed policy and guidelines will particularly assist the process.

Way forward and main recommendations

1. Member states that have not established the COMESA Coordinating Committee following the Council decision should do so immediately.
2. A technical committee to oversee Monitoring and Evaluation should be established by Policy Organs.
3. National workshops to build capacity on the use of the M&E online system should be completed in all member States and COMESA Institutions. COMESA Secretariat should mobilize resources to ensure that all Member States are covered.
4. The compendium of Council Decisions should be finalized and uploaded onto the M&E online System. This also includes all information necessary for full operationalization of the M&E online system.
5. The secretariat should finalize amendments to the Policy and Guidelines within a period of one month and forward the documents to the Member States for final comments.
6. The COMESA M&E Policy and Guidelines should be submitted to Council for adoption during the next policy organs meeting.
7. Member States should undertake their capacity needs assessment in order to identify capacity deficiencies in the implementation of COMESA M&E Policy.
8. The workshop recommended change of name of the National Inter Ministerial Coordinating Committee to COMESA National Coordinating Committee to reflect inclusiveness and membership of this committee.
9. The workshop recommended that the TORs of the COMESA National Coordinating Committee be adopted by Council as amended. The workshop recommended that the M&E Unit be the liaison between the Secretariat and the COMESA National Coordinating Committee.