Evaluating Country Programmes - OECD Online Bookshop

OECD 1999
French Experience with Country Programme Evaluations
the various forms of partnership (monetary, financial, trade, private sector investment,
diplomatic, cultural, French-speaking, etc., and consular in the case of movements
of people and international migration) with beneficiary countries.
Components of effectiveness were identified for each main sector when French
aid to Benin was evaluated. Seven sectors were selected, and the degree of physical
implementation, the relative size of financial aid provided by France, short- and
medium-term results, and the medium- and long-term impact were identified for
each. The evaluation, carried out in 1997, covered the period from 1985 to 1995. Not
surprisingly, the short- to medium-term results showed a marked improvement (the
country’s economy collapsed in the late 1980s) and uncertainty reigns as to the viability
of the operations in terms of medium- to long-term impact.
The French Ministry of Co-operation evaluated the impact of suspending aid to
three countries: Haiti, Togo and Zaire. For political reasons, and in an international
context where decisions were taken along with other lenders, and more specifically
with the European Union, France decided to suspend aid to these countries. This
exercise can serve as a basis for demonstrating – conversely – the effectiveness and
impact of French aid.
One dominant sector – telecommunications–was singled out when aid to
Yemen was evaluated. Effectiveness indicators have since been defined and identified.
One criterion for success for this development programme was the rate, usefulness
and durability of infrastructure; another was the country’s ability to continue
developing this sector using its own technological and financial resources – which
is the case today.
How can CPEs take into account the effects of the external environment
on development effectiveness at the country level?
CPEs present countries in a standardised report, the first section of which gives
their international context. This is a necessary prerequisite to beginning the exercise
specified in the terms of reference. The macro-economic section is important,
even for the poorest countries, because external aid represents a significant share
of their investment budget. It details their dependence on foreign trade, their
scarce primary goods which are subject to fluctuating world prices, the effects of
indebtedness and structural adjustment, etc. Devaluation of the CFA franc is also
an important factor.
CPEs are also expected to situate the country examined in a sub-regional context.
This is particularly important in Africa, given the relative influence of countries
such as Nigeria and the many destabilising conflicts emerging in a number of
regions on that continent.
But French co-operation strategy has to be situated clearly in other regions in
relation to neighbouring countries and in terms of how it complements interventions
by other lenders. This is a key element for co-operation policy
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