UNITAR and BADEA Collaboration Strengthens Project Monitoring Skills of Francophone African officials

30 November 2018, Geneva, Switzerland - UNITAR and The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) successfully completed its joint 2-week face-to-face training on "Strengthening the Capacities of African Officials from BADEA Beneficiary Countries on Project Monitoring Frameworks and Tools" from October 28 to November 8, 2018.

The training was conducted at the BADEA Headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan and was participated by Francophone African officials who are involved in the process of monitoring infrastructure projects financed by BADEA. The countries represented were Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Senegal, and Chad.

Week 1 (October 28 to November 1, 2018) training was designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement effective project monitoring frameworks and tools, including new technology tools such as GIS and Remote Sensing (RS) and relevant applications for project monitoring and evaluation. Week 2 (November 4 to 8, 2018) allowed the participants to visualize project monitoring indicators using GIS, and to collect data by means of geospatial tools (e.g. GPSs and mobile apps) through theoretical lectures and case-study exercises.

It is widely recognized that sound project monitoring frameworks and processes together with new technologies can significantly contribute towards more efficient and effective project implementation by supporting operational planning and decision making.

Positive Results

A post-training evaluation indicated that the training allowed participants to significantly enhance their knowledge in relation to the learning objectives namely to define and describe the fundamental concepts of project monitoring and evaluation, develop and implement project monitoring and evaluation frameworks, use project monitoring frameworks and tools for decision-making, and communicate project results to various audiences. More specifically, 97% of the participants mostly or fully agree that the learning objectives were met and relevant to their learning needs.

Overall, the participants found the training well-structured, comprehensive, rich in content and useful in their respective countries.

The training achieved a very high level of satisfaction with 100% of respondents saying they are fully or mostly satisfied, found the methodology useful given the learning objectives, appreciated the organizational support provided by UNITAR and BADEA, and indicated that the training materials were sufficient. Furthermore, 100% of participants mentioned that they would recommend the training to their colleagues.

This event follows a similar training in December 2017 for English-speaking African countries who are also beneficiaries of BADEA projects.

Comments by the training participants

The organizers also received several comments from the participants after the event which gives further indication on the usefulness of the training.

"This training had a positive impact, we will put the knowledge gained into practice as part of our projects."

“The seminar allowed me to understand and assimilate the fundamental concepts of project monitoring and evaluation.”

“After this training, I have the necessary tools to implement monitoring and evaluation in my daily work.”

“The seminar allowed me to better manage my projects, to make a clearer monitoring and evaluation strategy and to be able to transmit the results to my collaborator with precise indicators.”

“I intend to apply this knowledge not only as part of my work, but also to make my own contribution for a positive change in my country.”

“This seminar will help me to work more effectively and help the team I lead by building tools and monitoring frameworks.”

“I will help my general manager to define the objectives and the ways to achieve them. Also, sensitize my colleagues of the importance of M&E to reach the goals.”

About BADEA

The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) was established pursuant to the resolution of the 6th Arab Summit Conference at Algiers (28th November 1973). The Bank began operations in March 1975. BADEA is a financial institution owned by eighteen Arab countries members of the League of Arab States (LAS) which signed its Establishing Agreement in 18th February 1974. The Bank is an independent International Institution enjoying full international legal status and complete autonomy in administrative and financial matters. It is governed by the provisions of its Establishing Agreement and the principles of international law. The Bank’s Headquarters is located in Khartoum, the capital of the Republic of the Sudan. For more information about BADEA, please see: www.badea.org

Photo 1: Training session at BADEA headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan.

Photo 2: Interactive sessions during the training allowed the facilitators to provide clarifications where needed. The training was officially launched by Mr. Tijani Najeh, Deputy Director BADEA with active participation by BADEA staff Slaheddine Gara and Abdelakbir Oumali.