Decentralized, independent ex-post evaluation of EDAP Project in Mozambique

CONTEXT

In November 2018, the Mozambican government validated the National Electrification Strategy (2018-2030), which aims to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030. This strategy provides for the medium-term implementation of an Electrification Account, fed by both sovereign loans and a tax representing 3% of the amounts invoiced to existing consumers, in order to finance the construction of off-grid systems by the Fundo Nacional de Electrificação (FUNAE, or National Electrification Fund), a public institution whose mission is to promote rural electrification and access to modern energy services in rural areas in a sustainable manner. Following the Government of Mozambique’s efforts to expand access, EDM has taken the lead role in the implementation by extending the electricity network along the country. During its most successful years, EDM was able to connect about 120,000 new customers per year but this figure has sharply decreased over the last few years mainly due to lack of funding on concessional basis. The EDAP project was implemented in order to support EDM to develop its distribution network in the Maputo and Cabo Delgado province.

Gesto Energy Consulting is part of the consortium lead by French-firm Hydroconseil to develop the decentralized, independent ex-post evaluation of EDAP Project in Mozambique. In the framework of its ex-post evaluation mechanism, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) evaluates the projects and programs it finances once they have been completed. This approach responds to AFD’s concern to promote an enhanced dialogue on the results with its partners, to learn lessons from past operations and to provide objective information on the proper use of the public funds which it is responsible for implementing.

AFD has selected Gesto Energy Consulting and Hydroconseil to formulate a credible and independent judgement on the key questions raised by the adequacy, implementation and impacts of projects. This will focus on specific aspects that AFD and the contracting authority want to learn from because they are of key importance for the future.

As part of the project, Gesto Energy Consulting and Hydroconseil will give a fair representation of the different legitimate views that have been expressed and carry out the evaluation impartially. In order to take into account the plurality of views, all the different project stakeholders were, whenever possible, associated with the evaluation process.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the evaluation is to contribute to:

• Organizational and operational learning of both AFD operational team in the headquarters and the agency in Maputo on the setting up, implementation and operation and maintenance of such projects;
• The improvement of future similar operations in Mozambique and potentially in other countries;
• The dialogue with EDM on the results of EDAP project and on the lessons learnt in the context of future similar operations.

DESCRIPTION

The evaluation scope, of this project, is the EDAP project, and specifically AFD financed component (including civil works contract, technical assistance activities, training activities, E&S management).  The evaluation exercise developed by Gesto Energy Consulting and Hydroconseil was based on a three-stage approach:

• structure the evaluation process;
• conduct the evaluative analysis;
• present the conclusions of the evaluative research and recommendations.

Gesto Energy Consulting and Hydroconseil, throughout our research, demonstrated and clearly explained the gradual development of the different stages between observations (raw data), assessments (elaborated indicators, ratios), opinions formulated and lessons/recommendations.

Also, Gesto Energy Consulting and Hydroconseil closely involved EDM and AFD in the construction of  their reasoning, through regular contacts throughout the mission, from the inception note to the meeting to present the draft report.

SUMMARY OF SERVICES

• Investment Audit
• Field Visits
• Civil & Electrical Works Quality Control