Publication: Sector Investment Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa : Issues and Recommendations
Date
1997-09
ISSN
Published
1997-09
Author(s)
Jones, Stehen
Abstract
Sector Investment Program (SIP) is an
integrated program comprising: i) a management framework
providing for common implementation procedures for donors to
the sector; and ii) funding commitments from donors (often
involving the World Bank playing a role as 'donor of
last resort' to ensure the agreed program is fully
financed). SIPs have been seen as an instrument for
overcoming weaknesses in the management of development
assistance that are especially severe in many countries of
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). These include lack of ownership of
programs by governments and other local stake holders, weak
public expenditure management, and fragmented management of
donor assistance. In practice, SIPs are often also a vehicle
for radical institutional reforms, such as decentralization
of planning and decision-making to the district level. The
study found that while the preconditions of macroeconomic
stability and allocations of public expenditure between
sectors identified for SIP implementation were broadly met
in the case studies, institutional capacity remained weak
compared to the requirements to achieve donor acceptance of
common implementation arrangements. As a result, little
progress was made in establishing common financial
arrangements, with the exception of the district basket
which formed part of the Zambian health program. Common
review and reporting procedures were however established in
all four cases. There appeared to be only partial linkages
between the sector expenditure program and the broader
medium- and long-term macroeconomic framework, although it
is recognized that the review processes established provide
an opportunity for adjusting expenditure programs over time.
Citation
“Jones, Stehen. 1997. Sector Investment Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa : Issues and Recommendations. Africa Region Findings & Good Practice Infobriefs; No. 94. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/de14872b-4237-5e7f-8149-b2ae56fad271 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”