Civil Society Organisations urged to engage Africa’s Financial Institutions for Better Local Development Impacts

Is there much to profit from a potential synergy between Africa’s financial institution’s mission and intervention areas of the CSOs? 

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Africa are increasingly being seen not only as advocates or service delivers but also as enablers for change, policy influencers, project incubators, experts and implementing partners. They have become development stakeholders, acting on the international scene as key partner. A case in point is the synergy established between CSOs in Africa and financial institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank’s work in Africa in engaging a wide range of diverse stakeholders—both within and of national governments—to share perspectives and build partnerships that strengthen development outcomes. 

Despite this, CSO s working within the development policy discourse in Africa, and especially those advancing the interests of Indigenous peoples, continue to face increased political pressure, existential threats that hamper CSOs functionality in strengthening developmental impacts.  

A recent study carried out by the AFRODAD, “World Bank and AfDB influence on Development Policy in Tanzania and Zimbabwe – potential for CSO engagement and influence’”, revealed how crucial a synergy with CSOs is crucial, yet delicate if structures are not put in place. 

Taking A case study of the WB/AfDB Funded projects in Zimbabwe captured in the study, while constraints on civil society freedom affect organisations of every kind, Civil society in Zimbabwe who had some form of   involvement in the project were uniquely affected in several ways.  The US$ 20.8 million World Bank (IDA): Public Financial Management Enhancement Project (PFMEP) which broadly aimed at reforming and influencing fiscal and labour market policy at both national and sub-national levels saw very little influence coming from civil society. “It is worth noting that CSO engagement on this project has been minimal as only the private sector was consulted together with International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and government agencies. Even though the World Bank has been active in the policy reform agenda in Zimbabwe, engagement with CSOs has been ad-hoc thus debates on governance remain privy to government spaces,” highlights the report. 

Again, the PFMEP project for Zimbabwe which aimed at improving controls, transparency and accountability, and oversight in the use of public resources in the country saw no mention of technical CSOs consultation except a generic mention to ‘other stakeholders’. According to the study, this opportunity was supposed to have been extended to the local CSO’s space to influence implementation of development policy in Zimbabwe. It should be in the best interests of the World Bank to ensure that there is transparency and stakeholder participation in projects it finances as this promotes government accountability if CSOs and citizens are aware of the intentions and potential impact of the project. 

Consultations that were done with communities In Tanzania in the Arusha Sustainable Urban Water and sanitation delivery project under the AfDB project and other water projects were carried out by an International CSOs without roping in local CSOs in these projects due to capacity constraints on the part of local CSOs. The study further notes, the government of Tanzania has the onus in the decision making on all financing of projects by the AfDB and as such CSOs feel left out and have called for engagement to no avail.  

The challenges faced in the implementation of World Bank and AfDB financed projects as shown proffer opportunities for CSOs to be pro-active and to engage on the development finance policy discourse in the Africa region. Interview responses in the study pointed to the fact that there are a few CSOs that engage with the WB and AfDB on development finance policy. Given the political nature of engagement between the Banks and the two African governments, the study recommends CSOs in Africa to:  

• Act as the bridge between government and citizens in influencing the Banks on policy reform and the full adoption of country systems in development interventions. This will improve governments confidence in its capacities to deliver development projects. 
• Take Charge of consultations, or facilitation of consultations with local communities on projects, their design, implementation, including monitoring and evaluation. This is in fact necessary to make the projects successful on the ground. 
• Strengthen their watchdog role – through promoting transparency and “mutual accountability” especially when it comes to monitoring government actions and reducing corruption, so that confidence in government systems can be built. 

Civil society in Africa given space are true partners in achieving development effectiveness at the highest level. Working closely with financial institutions to engage on the development finance policy discourse could ensure better opportunities for Africa’s people. 

Author: Dennis Mutadzakupa, AFRODAD’s Communication Consultant. You can use [email protected] to write to him.

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*Image from https://hgaimpact.com/2021/02/25/leaders-should-shift-to-influence/