Country Update ISSUE 052 APRIL 2018 “ As a result of AREDP support, rural women ” are able earn a living by starting micro businesses. page 24 page 4 page 6 page 30 page 32 world bank ongoing international afghanistan group support operations finance reconstruction corporation trust fund / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/3 CONTENTS ongoing 18 results New Projects NEWS operations ‘Wastelands to to Improve Economy world bank page 6-29 Farmlands’ group support and Healthcare page 4 -5 page 6 education and training A new financing package of $691 page 4 million will support three projects: World Bank projects and page 8 financial sector $600 million to the Afghanistan programs Sehatmandi (Health) Project International Finance page 12 to increase the use and quality of Corporation health health, nutrition, and family Multilateral Investment 22 results planning services. Grants: $140 afghanistan makes sustained health Guarantee Agency page 14 infrastructure ‘A Bridge to a Better Life for Isolated Afghans’ million (IDA); $425 million (ARTF); $35 million (Global Financing gains despite continuing insecurity Facility). Implementing agency: Afghanistan has shown improved care delivery. Local nongovernmental or- page 5 page 21 Ministry of Public Health. health outcomes since 2003 with health ganizations (NGOs) are on the frontline Afghanistan rural development services remaining resilient even in of health service delivery—72 percent of Reconstruction Trust Fund highly insecure provinces, a new World the NGOs providing health services in Japan Social page 28 $51 million from IDA to the Bank report finds. However, the uptick in the country today are Afghan. Development Fund social safety net Afghanistan Digital CASA 1 Project insecurity since 2010 has slowed some The government has provided finan- to increase access to affordable gains, according to the report, Progress in cing, coordination, and oversight in key page 28 internet, attract private investors, the Face of Insecurity: Improving Health areas, including regulation, accounta- urban development and improve the government’s Outcomes in Afghanistan. bility, and monitoring, and effective The number of children dying before national health campaigns. An additio- capacity to deliver digital their 5th birthday, for example, dropped nal benefit has been a growing female government services, by supporting by 34 percent from 137 to 91 deaths per health workforce in many rural areas, a regionally integrated digital 1,000 live births from 2003 to 2015, accor- creating quality jobs for women while infrastructure and creating an international finance enabling environment. Implementing ding to UN estimates. Rates of childhood also strengthening the health system. corporation agency: Ministry of Communications stunting declined at the rate of 2 percent The report points out many challenges. page 30-31 per year between 2000 and 2015, faster Since 2010, progress on maternal health and Information Technology. than the global median of comparable has slowed. Data collection is difficult, countries, which saw an average decline especially in the most insecure areas, $40 million from IDA to the of 1.3 percent per year. and Afghanistan’s health outcomes are results 48 42 results Modernizing Afghan State Owned The report analyzes the overall health still far from global averages. Its recom- ‘New Facilities Boost ‘Mentorship for Banks Project to strengthen system, measuring progress in six areas, mendations include strengthening au- afghanistan Learning’ reconstruction trust Micro-entrepreneurs’ corporate governance and enhance including knowledge of health profes- tonomy of local health service delivery, operational efficiency of state- sionals, quality of medical infrastructure investing in better data and monitoring, fund page 32-50 owned banks. Implementing agency: and equipment, and availability of drugs and more effective purchasing of health Ministry of Finance. and vaccines. All have shown sustained, services. page 34 though uneven, improvement since However, Afghanistan has invested in ongoing projects 2003. Health gains have been made pos- health to build and enhance its human sible by expanded frontline health ser- capital, offering many lessons to other vices and a stronger health system. countries facing insecurity. A key reason for Afghanistan’s success c The report is available at: has been its innovative model of health http://wrld.bg/F5cb30iMAoz 4/  Country Update/ / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/5 WORLD BANK GROUP SUPPORT Country Partnership World Bank projects cated building capacity and legitimacy of to finance, strengthening horticulture export, Framework, Afghanistan Japan Social the state, and channeling donor resources access to renewable energy, corporate gover- and programs through the government to ensure invest- nance structure enhancement, and invest- 2017–2020 Reconstruction Development Fund Since April 2002, the World Bank’s Internatio- ments are aligned with national priorities. To this end, the World Bank works closely ment climate reform interventions. c For more information: see page 30. Trust Fund The Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) The World Bank Group’s current nal Development Association (IDA) has com- with other multilateral and bilateral agen- was established by the Government of Japan engagement with Afghanistan The Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund mitted over $3.85 billion for development and emergency reconstruction projects, and cies across a number of sectors where aid coordination and government ownership Multilateral over 2017–2020 is determined by (ARTF) is a partnership between the inter- in 2000 as a means of supporting activities that directly respond to the needs of poor six budget support operations in Afgha- are most critical. Investment the Country Partnership Frame- national community and Government of Afghanistan (GoA) to improve effectiveness and vulnerable groups, enhance their capaci- nistan. This support comprises over $3.48 c For information about completed projects: ties, and strengthen their empowerment and billion in grants and $436.4 million in no- www.worldbank.org.af – Projects & Guarantee Agency work (CPF) strategy, which is close- of the reconstruction effort. As of December participation in the development process. interest loans known as ‘credits’. The Bank has Programs. ly aligned with the government’s 21, 2017, 34 donors have contributed over The fund is administered by the World Bank. 16 active IDA projects in Afghanistan with The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agen- Afghanistan National Peace and $10.3 billion, making the ARTF the largest The Government of Japan and the World cy (MIGA) has $116.5 million of gross expo- contributor to the Afghan budget—for both net commitment value of over $1.3 billion. Since the adoption of the Afghanistan International sure for three projects in Afghanistan. MTN is Development Framework. operating costs and development programs. Bank agreed to set up a special window with- in JSDF to support activities in Afghanistan The World Bank Group strategy National Peace and Development Frame- Finance Corporation a joint effort with IFC in the country’s critical aims to help Afghanistan: The ARTF’s support for National Priority Programs (NPPs), operating costs of govern- under a multi-year program of assistance for work (ANPDF), the World Bank’s engage- telecommunication sector. The other two pro- the country’s reconstruction and transition ment has become increasingly program- jects support dairy and cashmere production. • Build strong and accountable ment operations, and the policy reform toward political, economic, and social stability. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), matic. Underpinned by advisory work, Among MIGA’s global priorities for FY agenda is contributing to the achievement of As of January 2018, JSDF’s total commit- the World Bank Group’s private sector deve- institutions to support the both policy and investment lending focus lopment arm, continues to work with its 2018–2021 are support for Foreign Direct the ANPDF goals. More than $4.6 billion has ment had reached $85 million. A number of Investment (FDI) with high developmen- government’s state-building been disbursed to the government to help on the main engagement clusters: macro- investment and advisory services partners in JSDF-financed projects have been completed. fiscal management and institution buil- Afghanistan. tal impact in IDA countries and fragile and objectives and enable the state cover recurrent costs, such as civil servants’ c For more information: ding, stimulating private investments and IFC’s cumulative committed portfolio conflict affected situations. Afghanistan is a to fulfil its core mandate to deli- salaries, and over $4.9 billion had been made http://go.worldbank.org/U5OQZVF200 n growth to create jobs, governance and stood at $52 million as of end-FY 2017 and key country for MIGA in terms of delivering on available, both for closed and active invest- ver basic services to its citizens, anti-corruption, human capital develop- its advisory services portfolio stood at $8.8 these objectives. ment projects. As of December 21, 2017, 28 In 2013, MIGA launched its ‘Conflict Affec- and create an enabling environ- projects are active under the ARTF with net ment and service delivery, citizen engage- million. IFC’s Investment portfolio includes ment and gender equality, as well as urba- investments in the telecommunication sec- ted and Fragile Economies Facility’ that uses ment for the private sector; commitment value of $3.58 billion. nization, infrastructure, and connectivity. tor and financial markets. The investment donor partner contributions and guarantees • Support inclusive growth, with c For more information: see page 32. The Bank has actively supported key re- pipeline looks promising and includes invest- as well as MIGA guarantees to provide an ini- a focus on lagging areas and ur- forms, particularly in the fiscal and public ments in the power sector and agribusiness. tial loss layer to insure investment projects in difficult contexts. This facility could be used to ban informal settlements; and administration spheres, and through its IFC’s Advisory Services program has been budget support operations. It has advo- supporting the Investment program in access boost the agencies’ exposure in Afghanistan. • Deepen social inclusion through improved human development outcomes and reduced vulnera- bility amongst the most under- privileged sections of society, including the large numbers of internally displaced persons and returnees. 6/  Country Update/ / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/7 ONGOING OPERATIONS / education and training been benchmarked to an international level with the support of an international certifi- Afghanistan Second cation agency, and corresponding curricula developed for 15 trades. Skills Development ASDP has laid the groundwork for an as- Project (ASDP II) sessment and certification system for TVET graduates, and, in partnership with the cIDA grant $55 million International Labour Organization, about The project supports the Government of 30 “master” assessors have been trained in Afghanistan in its strategy to build mar- competency assessment methods and seven ket relevant vocational and technical skills assessment centers identified. for economic growth and development. ASDP supports the improved performance Building on the ongoing Afghanistan Skills of selected TVET schools and institutes, such Development Project, this program will con- as the National Institute of Management tinue to strengthen the Technical Vocational and Administration (NIMA), where students Education and Training (TVET) institution- pursue a two-year business program equiva- al system, improve performance of TVET lent to a bachelor’s degree. NIMA has been schools and institutes, and improve teacher accredited by an international body (the competencies. The project has been restruc- Accreditation Council for Business Schools tured, effective July 2017, to reemphasize and Programs), recognizing the high stand- Women make up 20 its focus on the development objective of ard of teaching and learning at the institute. percent of students improving TVET teacher competencies and The share of female beneficiaries in project- studying at the National supported institutes increased from 21 to 23 Institute of Management curriculum in selected priority trades. and Administration The Government of Afghanistan has percent, while the share of those enrolled in supported by ASDP II, launched significant new skills develop- 2016 was 44 percent as a result of targeted with female enrollment efforts by ASDP. expected to increase. ment reforms, which have been included Students not only receive in the restructured ASDP II. The reforms The project supports a “challenge fund” vocational education of includes (a) realignment of the TVET sec- scheme to identify and scale up good prac- an international standard tices in TVET schools and institutes. To date, but also are helped to tor with labor market needs in eight prior- find employment upon ity trades, including areas with potential to over 35 institutes have benefited from two graduation. NIMA has improve women’s labor force participation; rounds of a Recognition Grant, while an ad- signed contracts with a ditional eight institutes have been selected few companies to help (b) assessment of the qualification of all students gain future TVET teachers; (c) training abroad offered for a Development Grant, which supports employment. to the best qualified; (d) mobilizing four reforms to improve academic management, lead institutes to support teacher assess- school administration, linkages with local in- ments/training in the eight priority trades; dustries, and curriculum revision. (e) upgrading and standardizing compe- In addition, over 522 TVET graduates have tency-based curriculum across the priority been supported with scholarships through a trades; and (f) implementing a teacher pol- voucher program, which facilitates further icy framework to guide reforms in teacher professional studies for meritorious students recruitment, management, and training. who have graduated from TVET institutes. More than 600 TVET teachers have already To support technical teacher training, been assessed and significant progress an in-service Technical Teacher Training made in strengthening the TVET institu- Institute (TTTI) was established in 2013. tional framework. In addition to developing To date, 790 technical teachers have received an overarching TVET strategy, 100 National training at the TTTI to improve their techni- Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS) have cal competencies and pedagogical skills. Country Update/ ongoing operations 8/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/9 the impact evaluation component show that ment a modern payment system for effi- the TUP selection process was able to iden- cient and transparent payment transactions. tify households that—across a range of di- Specifically, the project aims to allow DAB to mensions—were worse off than the average accurately assess the financial situation of 10 resident in target areas, and arguably more commercial banks through audits conducted in need of support. Overall, the very high ob- in accordance with international standards. served poverty rates and low access to ser- The audits will lead to the development of vices highlight the important challenges that action plans to address weaknesses that are these households face and how the program identified, with oversight from DAB. may help shift them closer to sustainable live- The project also aims to modernize the lihoods. A follow-up impact survey is be- national payment system with the goal of re- ing undertaken this year to provide further ducing the use of cash transactions, the main insights on the multidimensional impact of means of making payments in Afghanistan, the TUP program. and transitioning to electronic, card or mo- Component 2: Improving access to fi- bile payments. The project will also provide nancial services for small and medium further support to the Afghanistan Institute enterprises (SMEs). The aim is to increase of Banking and Finance (AIBF) to allow it to commercial bank and microfinance institu- scale up its activities, in order to increase the tion (MFI) lending to SMEs and thus facilitate availability of banking sector skills. their access to financial services. It will sup- The project was restructured and a first port the expansion of the Afghanistan Credit additional financing to the project ($6.7 Guarantee Facility and provide technical as- million) supported selected technical as- sistance to commercial banks to strengthen sistance activities originally financed under their SME lending capacity. This component the Financial Sector Strengthening Project, will include support to the Credit Guarantee which closed in June 2014. The additional Facility to provide coverage to MFI lending to financing targeted activities to strengthen the lower end of the SME market. DAB’s capacity and the establishment of a Implementation of Component 2 started Public Credit Registry. in June 2017, after an implementation part- The audits of the 10 commercial banks Small businesses, such as this grocery store, nership agreement was signed between the were completed in June 2012. have been given a boost Ministry of Finance and the Afghanistan A Movable Collateral Registry and a Public / financial sector through microfinancing. Credit Registry are now fully operational. The Credit Guarantee Foundation. Component 2 The microfinance sector is for Afghanistan (MISFA), as well as, support- Movable Collateral Registry, established in supported by the Access to supports the provision of credit guarantees Finance project, which also ing MISFA to take on a broader role as a cata- February 2013, and the Public Credit Registry, for SMEs. encourages innovations to increase access to and Access to Finance lyst for innovations to increase access and usage of financial services from the lower A project restructuring is being initiated to launched in December 2013, are key build- ing blocks in the infrastructure of the Afghan use of financial services of micro and small Project end of the market according to its new stra- extend the TUP program to a few more prov- inces and to engage on important topics, in- financial system. Having both systems fully enterprises. tegic plan. It should, however, be underlined functional has streamlined SME applications cIDA grant $50 million cluding digital financial services. that the role of MISFA is primarily that of for banking loans and supported banks’ lend- The Access to Finance Project aims to build market facilitator, rather than direct techni- ing decisions. institutional capacity to improve access cal assistance provider. Afghanistan Financial Establishment of the national card and to credit of micro, small, and medium en- terprises. The project has the following Component 1 is under implementation and MISFA has initiated a series of activities, in Sector Rapid mobile payment switch has been finalized under the Afghanistan Payment System that components: particular the scaling up of the Targeting the Response Project was officially inaugurated by the DAB gover- Component 1: Improving access to finan- Ultra Poor (TUP) program. The TUP program nor on April 26, 2016. The contract to develop cIDA Grant $45.7 million cial services for micro and small enterprises. has been completed in four provinces (Balkh, the Automated Transfer System (ATS) was This component aims to provide continuing Kunar, Laghman, and Takhar) and is ongoing The project is assisting the Da Afghanistan awarded to the recommended firm on April support to the microfinance sector through in two more provinces (Kabul and Kandahar). Bank (DAB) to develop a set of action plans 15, 2016. ATS will modernize the national the Microfinance Investment Support Facility Initial results from the baseline survey of to improve banking supervision and imple- payment system for efficient and transparent Country Update/ ongoing operations 10/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/11 payment transactions. The new payments The capacity of core financial management (PFM). The FPIP spans government agencies MoF, NPA, and Supreme Audit Office. The FSP infrastructure and its subcomponents will managing public finances enhance financial intermediation and enable is set to be strengthened will provide critical inputs in the form of up- safety and efficiency of the financial system. through the Fiscal front investments drawn directly from FPIP Performance Improvement work plans. A second additional financing ($20 mil- Support Project. The lion) was approved in October 2016. Under project will implement The project is organized around five com- the additional financing, a new core banking the government’s plementary investment components: comprehensive reform • The procurement subcomponent will build system will be in place to enable DAB to bet- program that will cover ter manage the sector’s risk and strengthen the entire range of public on the long-standing partnership with the its oversight. financial management. NPA to advance a third generation of pub- There will be more focus to invest in DAB lic procurement reforms. This involves first staff capacity to enhance the effectiveness reviewing and stabilizing current reforms of its regulatory capacity. To this effect, DAB’s and the supportive legal, regulatory, and Talent Development Program was launched policy framework. This will be built upon in February 2018 and will fund tuition for through new reforms to implement open bachelor and master’s programs in Kabul for contracting to improve collection and dis- eligible staff. closure of public procurement data across A DAB delegation also visited Bangladesh the full contracting cycle; and to establish Bank in February for knowledge exchange on countrywide Framework Agreements for their experience in implementing core bank- procuring large volume small value items ing system upgrades. of repetitive purchase by various govern- ment entities. The most significant third generation reforms relate to assessment Afghanistan: and piloting implementation of Electronic Public-Private Government Procurement (e-GP) that will follow a comprehensive process of Partnership (PPP) re-engineering. Support Program • B  udget as a tool for development, which aims to increase budget credibility by im- cPublic-Private Infrastructure Advisory proving the efficiency of budget processes, Facility Grant $850,000 realistic budget estimation and costing, The World Bank, funded by the Public-Private linking budget with policy, and introducing Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), has medium-term budgeting. been providing technical assistance to the  evenue mobilization, which aims to • R Ministry of Finance (MoF) since 2015 to im- legal/regulatory/institutional framework Fiscal Performance strengthen capacities of various revenue prove the enabling environment for PPPs in Afghanistan. to support/facilitate PPPs. Pipeline prioritization and feasibility work •  Improvement Support administration departments to increase tax compliance and facilitate timely filing The first phase of PPIAF support, from to identify priority pilot projects. Project (FSP) and payment. It further aims to enhance September 2015 to December 2016, focused Capacity building and training workshops •  the government’s capacity to effectively IDA Grant $25 million c on supporting MoF to develop an effective to build understanding and support for the regulate the minerals and hydrocarbon re- ARTF Grant $75 million c PPP program that would promote and sus- government’s new PPP program. sources sector. tain the necessary enabling environment •  Institutional strengthening through the FSP is designed to improve management of  reasury management, accountability, and • T to facilitate the identification, develop- preparation of a PPP Country Readiness Afghanistan’s public finances by strengthen- transparency, which aims to consolidate ment, and implementation of PPP projects Diagnostic, a business plan for the Central ing the capacity of core government agen- basic core public financial management that could support the Government of PPP Authority (CPA), and PPP Guidelines. cies involved, including Ministry of Finance, functions to underpin more ambitious as- Afghanistan’s national infrastructure devel- •  Refinement of the PPP project in line with National Procurement Authority (NPA), and pects of planned PFM and budget reforms. opment strategy. the government’s national development Supreme Audit Office.  nstitutional capacity building and perfor- • I To support the program, activities were de- and planning priorities. The project constitutes the implementa- mance management, which aims to build signed around these areas: The first phase led to immediate out- tion arm of the Government of Afghanistan’s the capacity of MoF staff and the requisite • Diagnostic of current enabling environ- comes, including the establishment of the Fiscal Performance Improvement Plan (FPIP), systems for effective functioning of the ment, followed by clear recommendations CPA within MoF and the enactment of a PPP an ambitious and comprehensive reform pro- ministry, and to reinforce overall FPIP per- on modifications required to improve the Law by presidential decree. gram that covers the whole breadth of public formance management and coordination. Country Update/ ongoing operations 12/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/13 Health Indicators / health on Positive Trend Information System and use of information technology; strengthening health promotion System Enhancement under-five mortality rate and behavioral change; mainstreaming gen- der into Afghanistan’s health system; devel- dropped 34 percent from 137 to for Health Action in oping capacity for procurement delivery; and 91 per 1,000 live births from 2003 Transition (SEHAT) to 2015. improving fiduciary systems. Component 3: Strengthening program Program management by supporting and financ- IDA Grant $100 million c Newborn mortality rate ing costs associated with system develop- ARTF Grant $517 million c fell 32 percent from 53 to 36 per ment and stewardship functions of MoPH, Government of Afghanistan c including incremental operating costs at 1,000 live births from 2000 to central and provincial levels and technical $30 million 2015. assistance. c Multi Donor fund for health results The Afghan health system has made con- innovation $7 million Number of functioning siderable progress during the past decade The program aims to expand the scope, health facilities increased thanks to strong government leadership, quality, and coverage of health services pro- sound public health policies, innovative ser- to more than 2,400 in 2016 from vided to the population, particularly for the vice delivery, careful program monitoring poor, and to enhance the Ministry of Public 496 in 2002, while at the same and evaluation, and development assistance. Health’s (MoPH) stewardship functions. The time the proportion of facilities Data from household surveys (between 2003 project supports the provision of basic health with female staff increased. and 2015) show significant declines in ma- and essential hospital services in both rural ternal and child mortality. and urban areas. It also seeks to strengthen Despite significant improvements in the the national health system and MoPH’s ca- Births attended by skilled coverage and quality of health services, as pacity at central and provincial levels. health personnel among well as a drop in maternal, infant, and under- The project includes the following three the lowest income quintile five mortality, Afghanistan health indicators components: increased to 50.5 percent from are still worse than the average for low- Component 1: Sustaining and improv- 15.6 percent. income countries, indicating a need to fur- ing the basic package of health services and ther decrease barriers for women in access- essential package of hospital services; and ing services. supporting the implementation of these PENTA3 immunization Afghanistan also has one of the highest Newborn mortality rate services through performance-based part- coverage more than levels of child malnutrition in the world. has fallen by 32 percent from 2000 to 2015 in nership agreements between MoPH and doubled (a combination of five About 41 percent of children under five Afghanistan, while nongovernmental organizations, which will suffer from chronic malnutrition, and both the coverage of skilled vaccines in one covering polio, birth attendance has deliver health services as defined in these women and children suffer from high levels come up with the best estimate for MMR. diphtheria, Pertussis, tetanus, improved. The proportion packages. of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The MMR estimate seems inconsistent of health facilities with haemophilus influenzae type b, with the significant increases in coverage female staff is also on Component 2: Building the stewardship The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) capacity of MoPH and system development and hepatitis B) from 29 percent has fallen significantly from 1,600 per of skilled birth attendance (50.5 percent up the increase. SEHAT has played a significant role in by supporting the following thematic ar- to 69 percent among children 100,000 live births in 2002. The Afghanistan from 15.6 percent in 2003), improved qual- strengthening the quality eas: strengthening subnational government; aged 12 to 23 months in the Demographic Health Survey (ADHS) 2015 ity of care as shown by frequent health fa- and coverage of health services to the population. strengthening the healthcare financing di- lowest income quintile. undertaken by the Central Statistics cility surveys, improved physical access to rectorate; developing regulatory systems Organization, with funding support from services (a fourfold increase in the number and capacities for ensuring quality phar- USAID, indicated a MMR estimate of 1,290 of facilities since 2002) shown in the ADHS, maceuticals; working with the private Contraceptive prevalence per 100,000 live births. The ADHS, however, as well as progress on other related impact sector; enhancing capacity for improved hos- rate increased (using any notes that the MMR estimate seems to be an indicators (e.g., under-five mortality rate has pital performance; strengthening human modern method) to 19.8 percent overestimate. The United Nations Maternal declined to 91 per 1,000 live births). Other resources for health; governance and social from 19.5 percent. Mortality Inter-Agency Estimation Working survey-based estimates also put the MMR accountability; strengthening the Health Group will consider the available data to significantly lower than 1,290. Country Update/ ongoing operations 14/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/15 / infrastructure For the storage of grains, the project will upgrade three existing storage facilities, Afghanistan build three new large facilities, as well as Information and build national capacity in human resources to operate these facilities according to inter- Communication national standards. It is estimated that by Technologies (ICT) end of this five-year project, the overall stor- age capacity for wheat will reach 200,000 Sector Development metric tons, sufficient for the consumption Project of 2 million Afghans for six months. In addition to the World Bank support, IDA Grant $50 million c $9.7 million is expected to be provided by the closed on december 31, 2017 Japan Social Development Fund. The project built on the success of earlier projects and catalyzed the next phase of ICT Central Asia South development in the country. It supported policy and regulatory reforms and strategic Asia Electricity infrastructure investment to expand con- Transmission and nectivity to enable more users to access high quality mobile and Internet services. Trade Project It also helped mainstream the use of mo- (CASA-1000) bile applications to improve public service IDA Grant/Credit $526.5 million, c delivery and program management in stra- tegic government sectors. The project helped including $316.5 million IDA grant to develop the local IT industry by expanding Afghanistan the pool of skilled and qualified IT profes- The Central Asia South Asia Electricity sionals and supporting the incubation of ICT Transmission and Trade Project, covering companies in Afghanistan. Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, and Major milestones under the project in- Tajikistan, will put in place the commercial cluded progress in constructing optical fib- and institutional arrangements as well as the er cable, completing about 1,000 km. The infrastructure required for 1,300 megawatts deployment of the fiber optical backbone The ICT sector project has (MW) of sustainable electricity trade. network in the North-East central route to catalyzed the next phase The total project cost is estimated at $1.17 Afghanistan Strategic of ICT development in Yakawlang, Kunar, Kapisa, and Ghulam Khan billion, to which the World Bank has con- Afghanistan and helped office sections was completed and handed tween the operators and ministries. The plat- tributed $526.5 million in loans and grants Grain Reserve Project mainstream the use of over to Afghan Telecom (Aftel). form allows any citizen with a mobile phone mobile applications to to the four countries. Several other develop- improve public service Work on the central route to Yakawlang, to access a set of public services. ment partners are also providing financing delivery and program IDA Grant $20.3 million c Kunar, Kapisa, and Ghulam Khan offices, and Two rounds of the Innovation Support management in strategic for CASA-1000, including the Afghanistan JSDF Grant $9.7 million c Bamiyan–Mazar-e-Sharif routes was com- Program awarded 15 local innovators for government sectors. The Reconstruction and Development Bank local IT industry was also pleted and handing over to Aftel is in progress. their ideas on how mobile technologies could The project will enable the Ministry of (ARDB), the Islamic Development Bank given a boost through the A total of 2,300 Afghans (over 400 women) help address challenges in various sectors, in- expansion of the pool of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to estab- (IDB), European Bank for Reconstruction were trained under the IT skills development cluding agriculture, education, and health. skilled and qualified IT lish a strategic wheat reserve to be available and Development (EBRD), United States professionals and support program, while job fairs for 1,500 successful The ICT business incubator complex was to Afghan households to meet their needs Government, United Kingdom Department for the incubation of ICT trainees were held. constructed in the ICT Institute area of companies. following emergency situations and improve for International Development (DfID), and The m-Government service delivery plat- MoCIT and 20 start-up business entities have the efficiency of grain storage management. United States Agency for International form (Mobile Platform) was soft launched undergone training programs in the complex The project will support the establishment Development (USAID). on Aftel’s network. Select m-Government ap- to date. Under the Capacity Building Program of a governmental semi-autonomous corpo- CASA-1000 will build more than 1,200 kil- plication and services are yet to be launched of MoCIT, 400 ministry staff members were ration to be in charge of managing the grain ometers (km) of electricity transmission lines by the Ministry of Communications and IT trained. reserve of the country and coordinate its ac- to transmit excess summer hydropower en- (MoCIT) through other mobile operators tivities with other governmental agencies ergy from existing power plants (such as the based on memoranda of understanding be- and donors. Toktogul power plant in Kyrgyz Republic and Country Update/ ongoing operations 16/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/17 Nurek power plant in Tajikistan) to Pakistan of selecting an international consultant to and Afghanistan. prepare the Resettlement Action Plan for the At approval, CASA-1000 included the en- line. A contract for Project Owner’s Engineer gineering design, construction, and commis- for the HVDC components of the CASA-1000 sioning of high voltage alternating current is under negotiation and is expected to be (HVAC) transmission lines and associated signed in March 2018. substations in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan; Procurement for other key infrastructure high voltage direct current (HVDC) trans- packages under CASA-1000 in the other three mission lines from Tajikistan to Pakistan countries are underway, including the pro- via Afghanistan; and three new HVDC con- curement for the two convertor stations in verter stations in Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan. However, in 2016, the four countries restructured the project, in which the converter station in Kabul was dropped. Herat Electrification Of the total project financing, Afghanistan Project has received $316.5 million in the form of an IDA grant. The grant will support construction IDA Grant $60 million c of about 560 km of an overhead HVDC trans- The project aims to support DABS to provide mission line from Sangtuda converter station electricity to some 230,800 households, and in Tajikistan to Nowshera converter station 1,600 institutions and businesses in selected in Pakistan. In addition, Afghanistan has re- areas in Herat province. ceived a $40 million grant from the ARTF for The project will support investments the CASA Community Support Program (see for (i) building a new 110 kV transmission page 36). line to Karokh district and Karokh, Pahstun Afghanistan is expected to receive 300 Zarghoon, Obe, and Chesht-e-Sharif 110/20 MW of electricity import from Tajikistan and kV substations, and medium and low volt- Kyrgyz Republic through the existing 220 age distribution networks in four districts kV AC lines from Sangtuda substation, and of Herat province; (ii) extension, intensifica- Tajikistan to Chimtala substation in Kabul tion, and upgrading the existing grid to pro- via Pul-e-Khumri. Da Afghanistan Breshna Afghanistan will benefit vide access to new or improved electricity from the CASA-1000 Sherkat (DABS), Afghanistan’s electricity com- pany under the Ministry of Energy and Water service to other parts of Herat province; and (iii) piloted construction of solar mini-grids project through electricity import from Irrigation Restoration ti-purpose dams and related works, while design and construction of those six best (MoEW), is the implementing agency for the Afghanistan portion of this project, includ- and solar-hybrid mini-grids in villages that the other countries in the project as well as and Development establishing hydro-meteorological facilities and services. ranked dams in the feasibility study. Further, the dam safety manuals and mi- ing a Security Management Plan for both the are unlikely to obtain grid electricity in less than five years. through the community support program, which Project (IRDP) Progress had been made in all areas. In nor repair works for two dams, Qargha and construction and operation phase. will see communities the irrigation component, a total of 173 ir- Darunta, are in progress. The project will also support review of along the project IDA Grant $97.8 million c The CASA-1000 project came into effect rigation schemes has been rehabilitated, In the hydro-met component, installation existing standards and procedures and the corridor enjoy greater ARTF Grant $118.4 million c on January 24, 2018. Three contracts for access to electricity and covering over 175,000 hectares of irrigation of 127 hydrological stations and 56 snow and preparation of a grid code for the Afghan Government of Afghanistan c the HVDC transmission line in Afghanistan other socio-economic command area (compared to the end project meteorological stations located in various lo- were given no objection by the World Bank power system consistent with best interna- investments. $3.5 million target of 215,000 hectares and over 326,000 cations on the five river basins in the country tional practices. The contracts for electrifica- in December 2017 and signed in the same The project builds upon and scales up activi- farmer households). is ongoing. In addition, 40 cableway stations tion of the four districts have been awarded month. Survey and design works have start- ties supported under the completed World In the small dam component, a prefeasi- for flow measurement at selected hydrology and an initial survey of the sites have been ed. According to the contract’s schedule, con- Bank-financed Emergency Irrigation Rehabili- bility review of 22 small dams resulted in a stations have been installed and installation conducted. struction of the line is expected to begin from tation Project, closed in December 2012. feasibility study being conducted on the six of 30 cableways are ongoing. Further, a na- the second quarter of 2019. After project restructuring and additional best ranked dams in the northern river basin tional operations and maintenance (O&M) The contract for preparation of the coun- financing effective from July 2016, IRDP en- (which is not on international rivers). A let- team has been established to take care of try-specific Environment and Social Impact visages support to rehabilitate irrigation sys- ter has been sent to MoF for dropping the O&M of all hydrological stations. Assessment for the HVDC transmission line is tems serving some 215,000 hectares of land detailed social and environmental study be- under implementation. DABS is in the process and design of a limited number of small mul- cause the government will take the detailed Country Update/ ongoing operations 18/  results canal project turns wastelands into Farmlands in Northern Afghanistan • Farmers are able to use previously uncultivatable land to grow crops in Balkh province as a result of a project that improved the irrigation network in the area. • The project has benefited over 1,400 households dependent on agriculture and horticulture and boosted their income. • The rehabilitated irrigation canal serves over 13,000 hectares of land, turning many areas of wasteland into productive farmland. A long stony embankment directs water from an irrigation canal to the farmlands down in the village. Mohammad Hashim looks out toward the canal, watching the water gurgle and sputter out onto his field. He smiles as he thinks of the harvest season when all four hectares of his farm will be ready with wheat. “It is the second year that I can cultivate all four hec- tares of my farmland. I am very thankful to the project that rebuilt the canal for us,” he says. As Hashim conti- nues to plow his land, he talks about the past when the villagers faced water shortages. Without the protection of a permanent embankment, farmers had to battle flooding as well as drought conditions. Lack of access to irrigation led to frequent crop failures whereas flooding led to massive soil erosion, making many fields marshy wastelands. But Afghan farmers are nothing if not resilient. Many tried to build temporary embankments with bags of “ The rehabilitation of Sharqi canal has revived many sand, an activity that not only proved expensive but also areas of wasteland and turned them into productive futile. Another farmer, Mohammad Ashraf, 50, recounts, farmland, irrigating over 13,000 hectares. Besides the “We used to spend more than 500,000 afghanis (about new canal embankment, the rehabilitation project also It is the second year that I can cultivate $7,500) every year to build new protection walls with fortified riverbanks and created channels to distribute sand bags and direct the water to our farmlands. Now water from the canal to the different fields. The project, with the canal built, we save that amount of money and budgeted at 57 million afghanis (about $853,000), star- all four hectares of my farmland. all the farmers are happy about that.” ted in June 2014 and the irrigation network opened for public use in November 2015. Increase in Income Irrigation is one of many positive outcomes of the I am very thankful to the project ” Hashim and Ashraf are among the many beneficiaries Sharqi canal project undertaken by IRDP. In Balkh pro- of the rehabilitated Sharqi canal, which more than 1,400 vince, IRDP has completed 18 of the contracted 27 pro- households use for irrigating their fields. Sharqi canal is jects. “IRDP has developed and rehabilitated many irri- that rebuilt the canal for us. located on Chil Aywan river in Nassrullah village in Khulm district, northeast of Mazar-e-Sharif city. The main source of income for the farmers using Sharqi canal are horticul- gation networks in northern Afghanistan,” says engineer Zabiullah Esmati, Deputy Director at the IRDP Mazar-e- Sharif Regional Office. “These works have encouraged ture, agriculture, and livestock management. They most- agriculture and horticulture activities in these provinces –Mohammad Hashim, farmer, Khulum district ly grow pomegranate, watermelon, and wheat. and translated directly into increased farm incomes.” Country Update/ongoing operations 20/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/21 system, and the development of a national Department (which includes the Customs training curriculum and preparation of rel- Law Enforcement Directorate) was approved evant training materials. by the Directorate of Administrative Reforms The project continues to make good pro- and Civil Services Commission. gress on implementation of components. The implementation plan for setting up an For example, the ASYCUDA Declaration enforcement wing is under review. The trans- Processing System is operational in 17 cus- fer and deployment of officers in the enforce- tom offices, the Risk Management module ment department has already started and functional in 10 custom offices, and the the teams have undergone short-term capac- Valuation module operational in seven cus- ity building courses at the Afghan National tom offices. The entry-exit gate control sys- Customs Academy. Special training for tem is working in six custom offices, while Customs Police is ongoing at the Academy. international transit has been implemented in seven corridors. In the current reporting period, the e- / rural development payment system was implemented in four custom offices. The passenger and cash dec- laration module was implemented at four Afghanistan Rural locations. The vehicle control module was Access Project (ARAP) amended by including the provision of mo- c IDA Grant $125 million torcycle declaration. c ARTF Grant $312 million ICT connectivity has further improved, with 13 offices connected through fiber optic. On ARAP aims to enable rural communities Customs to Customs cooperation, the system across Afghanistan to benefit from improved interface between the Iran Customs system access to basic services and facilities through and Afghanistan ASYCUDA system was cre- all-weather roads. The project is expected to ated and tested. Data exchange between increase the number of people living within Afghanistan and Pakistan is delayed due to 2 kilometers (km) of all-season roads, reduce various reasons. travel time to essential services, and enable On infrastructure development, a total rural communities to access essential servic- of 12 contracts was awarded, out of which es more frequently. Customs reform is making good progress under the seven have been completed, while three are As of January 2018, construction of 650 Second Customs Reform under progress and two sub-projects about km of secondary gravel roads, 260 km of sec- Additional Financing the next phase of the project. These activities and Trade Facilitation Project. The automation to start. ondary asphalt roads, and 1,380 km of ter- The executive information system has been tiary roads has been completed. In addition, for Second Customs include continued rollout of automation to the remaining border crossings and inland of customs offices is continuing, with many further improved by including additional 1,400 linear meters of secondary bridges and Reform and Trade clearance depots (ICDs); continued refurbish- already operational. ICT connectivity has seen SMS alerts and reports for management. The 1,600 linear meters of tertiary bridges have feasibility study for implementing a National been built. In the meantime, routine main- Facilitation Project ment, rehabilitation, or new construction of selected customs infrastructure; provision further improvement, with 13 offices connected Single Window system and Trade Information tenance of 1,300 secondary roads and period (SCRTFP) of technical assistance and capacity building through fiber optic. Portal has been awarded and the consultants maintenance of 500 km of secondary roads in key areas essential to introducing mod- are expected to mobilize by March. were undertaken. Routine maintenance of IDA Grant $21.5 million c The project also supported proof reading 3,600 km of tertiary road and period mainte- ern approaches to customs administration; The additional financing bridges the financ- improved mechanisms for cooperation with of a Pashto tariff book and interpretation of nance of 1,000 km of tertiary road were also ing gap in the ongoing SCRTFP to achieve the customs administrations of neighboring explanatory notes. The third Customs User completed. project development objective more fully and countries; and further improvement of sys- Perception survey was completed in July 2017. Rollout of the first nationwide inventory support the government in finalizing its long- tems for monitoring customs performance The amendment to articles pertaining to and condition survey of rural roads has been term priorities for customs and trade facilita- through the use of an automated executive enforcement in the Customs Act has been completed and over 70 percent of inventory tion reform. dashboard and alerts mechanism. approved by the President of the Islamic of secondary roads and above have been In parallel, the additional grant also will The additional grant also supports pre- Republic of Afghanistan through a legal completed for 25 out 34 provinces. help finance the costs associated with scal- liminary work for the design of a Trade Infor- decree. The Tashkeel (organizational struc- ing up the necessary activities for preparing mation Portal and National Single Window ture) of 1395 of the Afghanistan Customs Country Update/ ongoing operations 22/  results a bridge to a better life for Isolated Afghans • A new bridge has changed the lives of Afghans in a remote district of Kandahar province, providing them easier access to health care and other essential services. • The bridge has helped half a million Afghans reach other districts in the province and boosted the local economy. • ARAP projects, including the building of this bridge, have also provided employment opportunities to thousands of local residents. T he sturdy grey concrete structure is suddenly alive with tinkling bells, announcing the arrival of a group of Kuchis (pastoral nomads) her- ding their flock of sheep and goats. Men and animals safely cross the bridge over the Arghistan river to a village in an isolated district, a good 100 kilometers away from Kandahar city, the provincial capital. The river cuts off the southern part of Arghistan district from the northern part as well as other regions in southern Afghanistan. Without a proper bridge, villagers, mostly in late winter and early spring, struggled to cross the river. The recently built bridge connects the village to the rest of Arghistan district, bringing thousands into the fold of basic essential facilities, like health care and markets. “Before the bridge, we were not able to cross the river for two to three months of the year,” says Pir Mohammad, 65, a resident of Baqerzai village. Villagers had to go around for more than 50 kilometers to reach a health center, he says. “After construction of the bridge, we can “ length of 260 meters and width of 9 meters, the bridge all cross the river and reach a health center and other es- was built at an estimated cost of 162 million afghanis sential services very easily. Our problems are solved,” says (about $2.4 million). the farmer. “Earlier we took eight hours to get to Kanda- The bridge has given a boost to the local economy. After construction of the bridge, har city, but now we take four.” People in the southern part of the district now shop at Fellow villagers are equally thankful for the bridge built by ARAP as it has greatly eased their lives. Most of them Arghistan center instead of the neighboring district of Spin-Boldak. With business booming in the district cen- we can all cross the river and reach live on agriculture and livestock but had not been directly ter, many locals have also become ambitious enough to connected by an accessible road to markets in Kandahar open shops. city. The drive there was long and bumpy, and the har- a health center and other essential The benefits of ARAP’s work are visible in other aspects vest, especially pomegranates, damaged easily along the of life. The projects have generated thousands of employ- way. “When there was no bridge over Arghistan river, we ” ment opportunities for locals, for example, ARAP em- had to sell our products at low prices, but now things services very easily. ployed nearly 1,500 locals for two years for the Arghistan have changed and we cross the bridge and come to the paved road. We sell our products at an appropriate price,” bridge construction. Residents can expect further improvements to their Our problems are solved. says Pir Mohammad, who cultivates pomegranates. lives with more plans to develop the area. “The construc- Boost to the Local Economy tion of the bridge over Arghistan river have improved access to basic services and markets, but it is not the end. Pir Mohammad is one of 500,000 people who are bene- We would like to implement more projects in Kandahar –Pir Mohammad, resident, Baqerzai village fiting from the bridge, which also connects to the other region,”  says engineer Fazel Omer, Ministry of Public districts of Spin-Boldak, Maroof, and Daman. Spanning a Works head of ARAP in Kandahar zone. Country Update/ ongoing operations 24/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/25 Afghanistan communities and is currently working in 24 districts of five provinces: Parwan, Bamyan, Rural Enterprise Nangarhar, Balkh, and Herat. Development Project In preparing to implement an anticipated Women’s Economic Empowerment project (AREDP) in 50 districts in 15 provinces, AREDP has re- viewed and developed its policies and plans c IDA Grant $28.4 million to place women at the center. These include c ARTF Grant $11.2 million implementation strategies, partnership mod- AREDP aims to enhance economic mobili- el with facilitating partners in close collabo- zation and activities by organizing the ru- ration with the Citizens’ Charter, Business ral poor into Savings Groups (SGs), Village Development Service Provisions/Resource Savings & Loan Associations (VSLAs), and Persons strategies, formal financial linkages Enterprise Groups. The project provides tech- model, revised structure for Pan-Afghanistan nical support to these groups so as to build Intervention, Community Institution Deve- a financial discipline through savings and lopment strategy, analyses of selected 6–8 internal lending practices, and technical sup- value chains (women orientated), and techni- port to enterprises. cal and marketing support plans. To date, the program has established 5,996 Importantly, AREDP has selected the prob- Savings Groups with a membership of some able districts and provinces for the Women’s 60,700 rural poor (54 percent women) in 694 Economic Empowerment Rural Development villages. The SGs have saved over $4.2 million Project based on eight parameters, such as and members have accessed more than poverty rate, involvement of the ultra-poor, 41,900 internal loans (64 percent by female Citizens’ Charter presence, access to finance, members) for productive and emergency pur- National Horticulture and Livelihood Project, poses with a repayment rate of 95 percent. and security and access. This has made its To generate economies of scale, 505 VSLAs intervention strategy much more inclusive have also been established as federations of with likely convergence of ongoing poverty the SGs and are maintaining accurate and up- reduction programs of different stakeholders. to-date records of accounts with good gov- ernance structure in place. On average each VSLA has $5,780 as loanable capital, which is Citizens’ Charter With a loan from the further boosted with a seed grant injection. Afghanistan Project Village Savings and Loan Association, beneficiaries, the Government of Afghanistan’s 10-year Development (MRRD) has overall responsi- This improves access to finance for group members who would like to increase produc- (CCAP) such as this seamstress, are able to support their Citizens’ Charter National Program and will bility for the implementation of the grants. tivity or engage in entrepreneurial activities c IDA Grant $227.7 million families by earning a target one third of the country. This subcomponent supports delivery of livelihood. “Without it, but cannot access such funds from commer- c ARTF Grant $444.3 million I would never have had a The CCAP aims to improve the delivery of minimum service standards on rural infra- cial banks or microfinance institutions. (includes additional financing of IDA small business,” says the core infrastructure and social services to par- structure. Allocations per community will be sole breadwinner, who ticipating communities through strength- needs-based and based upon an initial gap AREDP also works toward strengthening Grant $127.7 million and ARTF Grant $44.3 bought a calf and a sewing market linkages and value chains for rural ened Community Development Councils and needs assessment against the minimum million for CCAP Emergency Regional machine with the loan. As enterprises by providing technical support to a result of AREDP support, (CDCs). These services are part of a minimum service standards. The investments include Displacement Response) water supply and a choice between basic road 1,338 Enterprise Groups (63 percent female) she is able to support service standards package that the govern- c Government of Afghanistan her family and send her ment is committed to delivering to the citi- access, electricity, or small-scale irrigation. and 657 (15 percent female) small and me- children to school. $128 million zens of Afghanistan. (1b) Urban Areas Block Grants. The Inde- dium enterprises that have been selected for their potential as key drivers of rural employ- The CCAP is the successor to the highly suc- The CCAP has been set up as an inter- pendent Directorate of Local Governance ment and income generation. cessful National Solidarity Programme (NSP), ministerial program for the delivery of a (IDLG)—CCAP’s urban implementing agen- Sixteen Provincial Situation Analyses (PSA) which introduced a community-driven devel- package of basic services and is structured cy—has overall responsibility for the grants have been completed and another 10 PSA opment approach toward rural infrastruc- around four components: to 600 urban CDCs and 120 Guzars (neigh- are underway. Support was given to 136 ture and service delivery and reached about Component 1: Service Standards Grants. borhoods) in four major cities (Herat, Mazar- Kochies (nomads) and 136 disabled people to 35,000 communities over 14 years. It is ex- This component supports two types of grants i-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad) to fund enhance their enterprise development skills pected to be implemented over a period of to CDCs: small infrastructure works. The menu of and productivity. AREDP uses Community four years. (1a) Rural Areas Service Standards Grants. options includes street upgrading, parks, Development Councils as an entry point into The project will support the first phase of The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and lighting, provision of potable water, solid Country Update/ ongoing operations 26/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/27 waste management arrangements, and women’s economic activities. This subcom- term employment opportunities through la- Trans-Hindukush bor-intensive public works, as well as support ponent supports service delivery linkages be- for collective action activities beyond public Road Connectivity tween the CDC, cluster/Guzar, urban district, works that are aimed to foster greater social Project and municipality. inclusion and protect the ultra-poor/vulner- Component 2: Institution Building. This c IDA Grant $250 million able in communities. component supports capacity building, tech- There are two subcomponents: The project aims to support GoA’s efforts nical assistance, and community facilitation (i) Social Inclusion Grants and Collective to improve road transport links across the services. In rural areas, MRRD works with 14 Action Activities will take the form of a Hindukush mountain range, including the re- facilitating partners (FPs) in undertaking ca- “matching grant” up to a total value of habilitation of the Salang road and tunnel. It pacity building and training of provincial and $2,000 per community that will be used to will develop existing mountain crossings into district staff to oversee, monitor, and report provide incentives for community philan- dependable, all-season roads that will allow on project progress, and Social Organizers; thropy. The combination of the matching the vital transport of passengers and goods and provides engineering and technical sup- grant and community donations will be used to cross the Hindukush mountain range port to communities across all 34 provinces. in the first instance to initiate a food/grain throughout the year. In urban areas, IDLG works with UN Habitat, bank for the ultra-poor in each of the target- There are currently only two road cross- which serves as an Oversight Consultant, ed communities. It is expected that this will ings over the mountain range, with the as well as four FPs on capacity building and be replenished periodically with additional Salang highway carrying most of the cross- training of municipality staff to supervise, community donations. Hindukush traffic, and an unpaved second- monitor, and report on project progress. (ii) MCCGs are to serve as quick-disbursing ary crossing between Baghlan and Bamiyan. Component 3: Monitoring and Knowledge emergency grants for work/labor-intensive The project will carry out civil works for the Learning. This component includes robust public works schemes that are targeted at upgrading of the Baghlan to Bamiyan (B2B) supervision and learning activities from vil- vulnerable households within the commu- road (152 km) into a paved road as well as the lage to national levels, exchange visits across nities and managed through a community- rehabilitation of the Salang road and tunnel communities, especially for women, and sup- driven development approach. The cash for (87 km). port for thematic studies and evaluations. It works will include repairs, rehabilitation, Preliminary activities under the project covers a range of participatory monitoring cleaning, expansion, or construction. Cash for have started. Land acquisition, engineering and evaluation tools, including the rollout of Millions of Afghans are services will target ultra-vulnerable house- design review, procurement, and office set up simple citizens’ scorecards to be completed expected to benefit from holds that cannot participate in public works. are underway. To date, the land acquisition the first phase of the CCAP, by CDCs and Social Organizers to report on including improvements to Rollout of first year activities include: for two segments of B2B has been completed the minimum service standards. quality of service delivery In rural areas: Over 2,200 community profiles and the process is ongoing for the remaining Component 4 (new under Additional in health, education, rural (CPs) completed; more than 1,700 new CDCs four segments. roads, and electrification. Financing): Project Implementation and Management. This component supports the Expected CCAP Results elected; over 1,400 Community Development Plans (CDPs) completed; and more than 500 The contract for the implementation con- sultant has been signed and its technical team management and oversight of the project at Results expected under the first phase of the CCAP include : sub-project proposals prepared. mobilized on site to support the Ministry of the national, provincial, and district levels in • 10 million Afghans reached. In urban areas: Implementation has been Public Works in project implementation. rural areas and the municipal management rolled out in over 250 communities (235 The design review of all segments of the units in the four regional hub cities. This in- • 3.4 million people gaining access to clean drinking water. CPs completed; 128 CDCs elected; 93 CDPs B2B road is scheduled to be completed by cludes areas such as policy and operational • Improvements to quality of service delivery in health, completed; and 23 sub-project proposals end of March 2018. The procurement for seg- planning; capacity building; management education, rural roads, and electrification. prepared). ment 1 and 2 of B2B has been completed and information systems; grievance redress Overall, 90 percent of CDC membership in contractors are on site. The physical work will • Increase in citizen satisfaction and trust in government. areas previously covered by the NSP comprise start as soon the weather permits. The pro- mechanisms; human resource management; communications; donor and field coordina- • 35 percent returnon investment for infrastructure projects. new members (i.e., those who had never pre- curement of remaining segments is sched- tion; financial management and procure- viously served on CDCs) and close to half (47 uled to be completed during 2018. ment functions; and safeguards oversight. percent overall and 48 percent office bearers) Further, the procurement for a consult- Component 5 (new under Additional are women. This is evidence that the new ant to design the rehabilitation work of the Financing): Social Inclusion and Maintenance election system and norms on CDC govern- Salang Pass has been completed and a negoti- and Construction Cash Grants (MCCGs). This ance are having a strong impact. ated contract is expected to be finalized soon. component will provide emergency short- Country Update/ ongoing operations 28/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/29 / social safety net The project developed operational proce- vant agencies at the national level, as well dures in line with international best prac- as strengthen city planning, management, Afghanistan Safety tices: a targeting mechanism based on Proxy Means Testing to identify and select poor and service delivery capacity in five selected provincial capital cities (PCCs). These cities Nets and Pensions households based on objective and trans- are Herat, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Khost, and Support Project parent criteria; a social registry including the socio-economic characteristics of families; Mazar-e-Sharif. The project consists of the following IDA Grant $20 million c technology-based payments; and a rand- components: closed on december 31, 2017 omized impact evaluation. Component 1: Urban Information: Building The objectives of the project were to (i) im- A new targeting methodology was suc- an Urban Management Information System. prove the administration of the public pen- cessfully implemented, which computerized Technical assistance to create a database and sion schemes; and (ii) develop administrative registration of poor households in five dis- web architecture for key statistics, maps, and systems for safety nets interventions, with tricts and paid benefits through mobile mon- geographic information system (GIS) data to focus on targeting beneficiaries and benefit ey operators and commercial banks. Overall, facilitate better urban planning and results payment delivery, to deliver cash benefits to 33,500 selected poor families benefited from monitoring. the poorest families in targeted pilot districts. the cash benefits under the pilot project. Component 2: Urban Institutions: Pension reform component: Key elements Institutional and Capacity Development. of a reformed and modernized Public Sector Undertaking a functional review of current Pension System are in place, including a re- / urban development planning functions, practices, and capacities vised institutional and human resources at MUDH and the five PCCs, and developing structure of the Pension Department, a com- Afghanistan New an action plan to address deficiencies in le- gal/regulatory issues, processes, and staffing. prehensive new Management Information System (MIS), a set of business processes, Market Development Support for four “work streams” to provide di- fiscal forecasting models for revenues and Project agnosis and recommendations on key policy areas including urban planning and land use expenditures, and a new chart of accounts of c IDA Grant $22 million management; affordable housing; urban re- the pension system. closed in november 2017 generation; and municipal finance. About 118,000 pensioners have been reg- istered in the new Pension MIS and are paid The project aimed to pilot a business devel- Component 3: Urban Integration: through bank accounts. A biometric identi- opment program in the four urban cent- Strengthening Urban Planning at National fication and verification system is in place ers of Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad, and and Local Levels. Financing the completion of at the Central Pension Department in Kabul Herat, which are the major hubs of economic Strategic Development Plans (SDPs) for each and some 87,500 pensioners have been bio- activity. It helped enterprises gain market of the PCCs that will identify medium-term metrically certified. The MIS was rolled out to knowledge, improve product quality, boost Under the Afghanistan development goals, based on a consultative the provincial pension departments of Balkh, productive capacity, acquire new technolo- Safety Nets and Pensions stakeholder engagement process. The SDPs Support Project, some will draw from data inputs in Component Kandahar, and Nangarhar. gies, and develop and implement business 87,500 pensioners have Martyrs and disabled sub-component: The plans to increase their presence in both do- been biometrically with 1,516 jobs created, of which the target 1, identify key challenges and development project successfully completed development mestic and export markets. certified using the new of 5 percent for women was surpassed at 30.6 goals, and propose activity and investment biometric identification plans to achieve them. The component will and installation of an MIS to support admin- The project specifically supported 372 percent. Finally, the “product or market di- and verification system istrative modernization of the martyrs and small and medium enterprises and 53 busi- at the Central Pension versification” target of 20 was exceeded with also build a culture of planning through de- disabled benefits program. Renovation and ness associations through a cost-sharing Department in Kabul. 21 new or improved products introduced velopment of curriculum for urban planning furnishing of the main office building of the facility to access business development ser- and 44 new international markets in 12 practitioners. program in Kabul was also completed. The vices. The project was implemented by the countries reached. Component 4: Urban Investments: MIS with biometric verification facility was Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Feasibility and Design Studies for Urban rolled out in Kabul in March 2018. The Facility for New Market Development, Urban Development Infrastructure. Preparation of multi-year capital investment plans (CIPs) linked to the Safety nets component: The overall ob- created under the project, was officially jectives of this component were to develop launched in March 2013. It received 1,050 Support Project SDPs for PCCs to undertake priority projects systems for targeting beneficiaries and bene- applications across the four cities of Kabul, (no regret, quick-win projects) and catalytic c IDA Grant $20 million fit delivery, and to deliver cash benefits to poor Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad, and Herat. investments (identified under SDPs, eco- families with children under the age of 5 in Assistance was provided to 372 firms (against The project will support the Ministry of nomically transformative projects). The CIPs five pilot districts (Khas Kunar, Nurgal, Dawlat- a revised target of 375) and 53 business as- Urban Development and Housing (MUDH) would also be used to develop a pipeline of yar, Yakawlang, and Chamkani) during the sociations (against a revised target of 30). to create an enabling policy framework and bankable projects for financing under a fu- high food insecurity seasons (winter/spring). The target of creating 1,500 jobs was met enhance urban policy-making capacity in rele- ture performance-based finance project. 30/  Country Update/ / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/31 INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION The International Finance Corporation’s key regulatory framework for leasing and is now The program’s objective is to increase ac- The impact of the project is in the form of prong of engagement has been through working to establish a supervisory function cess to modern solar lighting products and compliance cost savings for private sector advisory support focused on improving the within DAB to license and supervise leasing services for 250,000 Afghans living in off-grid that will be achieved after project completion. investment climate and building capacity, companies to facilitate the development areas. The impact will be achieved through  Afghanistan Business Enabling while supporting selective investments in of a leasing sector. It will also focus on im- accelerating the development of a sustain- Environment Project sectors with high development impact plementing awareness raising and capac- able commercial market for quality verified The Business Enabling Environment project and job creation. IFC’s current strategy is in ity building activities to increase knowledge lighting products. The program works with has been designed under the investment line with the ongoing World Bank Group’s among stakeholders (both government and the private sector to remove market entry bar- climate program to catalyze doing business Country Partnership Framework (2017 to private sector) about the benefits of leasing, riers, provide market intelligence, foster busi- reforms in Afghanistan. FY 2020). thus improving access to finance for micro, ness to business linkages, and raise consumer The focus of the project is on doing busi- small and medium enterprises. awareness on modern lighting options. ness areas with the greatest potential to con- Investment portfolio tribute to improving the investment climate IFC provides a mix of investments services in Afghanistan Raisins Supply Chain Investment Climate and investment facilitation. The goal will be Afghanistan, with a focus on financial inclu- Development IFC has concluded the Afghanistan achieved through supporting institutional sion, services, telecommunications, agribusi- The project aims to support the develop- Construction Permits Reform project and capacity building, improved interagency co- ness, and infrastructure. IFC’s cumulative ment of raisin supply chains in Afghanistan Subnational Doing Business Survey. It is ordination and public-private dialogue, and committed portfolio stood at $52 million as by building the capacity of a raisin process- currently working to support the Ministry management of investor grievances for in- of end-FY17 and its advisory services portfo- ing firm, implementing and managing food of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) in pro- vestment retention. lio stood at $8.8 million. safety systems, financial management, and moting an investment climate that is con- The objectives are to (i) streamline the le- IFC investments have had a transforma- supply chain development, thus, creating a ducive to private sector growth through its gal and regulatory framework for doing busi- lence (such as Afghanistan), attracting new tional impact in access to finance and out- best practice example for the rest of the in- Licensing Reform Phase II project. ness in at least two of the doing business investors may be challenging but retaining reach, particularly in the microfinance and dustry in the country. The pipeline under the investment climate areas; (ii) strengthen interagency coordina- existing ones is necessary. Retaining inves- telecommunication sectors. IFC will con- program includes studying Afghanistan tion mechanisms on investment climate re- tors in Afghanistan requires a clear retention tinue to seek new investment opportunities Corporate Governance (CG) Women Entrepreneurship Legal Barriers, forms and establish effective public-private strategy and targeted investment in building and engage with local players to support the The CG project aims to address foundational Trade Facilitation and Export Promotion, dialogue mechanisms; and (iii) implement an investment aftercare program comple- development of Afghanistan’s private sector, market failures in the Afghanistan banking Business Enabling, and indicator-based re- a Systematic Investor Response Mechanism mented by SIRM. particularly in infrastructure, finance, manu- sector. Through scoping activities as well form advisory. (SIRM) to increase investment retention. SIRM as an early warning and tracking facturing, agribusiness, and services. as prior work in this sector, a combination Business Licensing Reform Project – Phase II The project has two components: mechanism to identify and resolve com- At present, IFC’s Investment portfolio of market failures has been identified at all The Licensing Reform Phase II project is build- Component 1: Improve business ena- plaints/issues that arise from government includes investments in the telecommu- levels, i.e., individual bank, regulatory, and ing on the reforms achieved in Phase I—the bling environment and support institutional conduct. The implementation of SIRM en- nication sector and financial markets. The sector. establishment of a one-stop shop for busi- building tails identifying an agency or a platform that investment pipeline looks promising and in- IFC is working with banks to help them ness registration and licensing at MoCI— This component has three subcomponents: has the capacity to mediate a solution to the cludes investments in the power sector and improve firm performance (improved de- with the overall goal to reduce the time and 1.1. Assist the Government of Afghanistan in problem facing an investor. agribusiness. cision-making, risk management, operat- cost of business licensing and renewals in developing and implementing business envi- ing efficiency, profit, and valuations) and the country, and rollout of business licensing ronment reforms in a selected number of ar- Strengthening Afghanistan Horticulture increase access to finance (reduced costs of reforms to provinces. eas measured by the Doing Business project. Exports / ongoing projects capital, improved loan terms, and increased The goal of the project will be achieved by 1.2. Establish and strengthen the institu- IFC is working to develop Afghanistan’s hor- access to investors) by promoting better CG streamlining procedures and supporting in- tional mechanisms to support the invest- ticulture exports by helping agriculturists Access to Finance practices among the banks in Afghanistan. stitutional capacity building. The objectives ment climate reform program. enhance efficiency and supporting the ex- IFC provided assistance to DAB, the central are to (i) streamline procedures for new busi- 1.3. Identify gender-based differentiations tension of market opportunities, both na- bank, in collaboration with the World Bank’s Lighting Afghanistan ness licenses and license renewals; (ii) reduce in legal and regulatory frameworks that tionally and internationally. This project aims Financial Sector Strengthening Program to This IFC market transformation program time to obtain new business licenses and li- affect women’s equal access to business to improve the livelihood of horticulture support the establishment of the first elec- aims at increasing access to clean, afford- cense renewals; and (iii) Rollout business li- opportunities. farmers by linking them to fruit processing tronic Movable Collateral Registry and the able off-grid energy in rural Afghanistan. It censing reforms from Kabul to 21 provincial Component 2: Investment Retention and companies through contract farming and Public Credit Registry. is an integral part of IFC’s “Lighting Global” offices of the Afghanistan Central Business Promotion supporting processing companies to expand IFC has helped DAB with establishing the program. Registry. In countries affected by fragility and vio- their export markets. 32/  Country Update/ / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/33 AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION TRUST FUND Afghanistan Reconstruction The Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund Investment Window provides grant financ- Trust Fund (ARTF) was established in 2002 to provide a ing for national development programs in coordinated financing mechanism for GoA’s the development budget. budget and national investment projects. The Research and Analysis Program aims The objectives of the ARTF are to: Since its inception, 34 donors have contribu- to facilitate and promote evidence-based • Position the national budget as ted over $10.3 billion to the ARTF, making policy research and knowledge consolida- the key vehicle to align the it the largest single source of on-budget tion through project-based and selected financing for Afghanistan’s development. sector-wide/thematic research and impact reconstruction program with evaluation. national development Management objectives. The ARTF has a three-tier governance frame- Donor contributions work (Steering Committee, Management Donor contributions have increased year • Promote transparency and Committee and Administrator), and three after year, with both old and new donors accountability of reconstruction working groups. This sound framework has contributing to the ARTF. Over the last few assistance. enabled the ARTF to adapt to changing cir- years the “preferenced” portion of donor con- cumstances and development priorities with tributions has been the main factor driving • Reduce the burden on limited consistency and consensus. The World Bank growth. The agreed ARTF rule is that donors government capacity while is the administrator of the trust fund. may not “preference” more than half of their promoting capacity building The Management Committee consists annual contributions. This rule is to ensure of the World Bank, Islamic Development that the ARTF has sufficient funding to fi- over time. Bank, Asian Development Bank, United nance the Recurrent Cost Window and that • Enhance donor coordination Nations Development Programme, Ministry it retains some flexibility in the approval of for financing and policy of Finance, and United Nations Assistance projects in support of government priorities. Mission in Afghanistan as an observer. The dialogue. Management Committee meets regularly in The Recurrent Cost Window (RCW) Kabul to review ARTF finances and approve Grant $4.745 billion The ARTF’s support of the funding proposals. government’s priority programs, sured the basic functioning of government, The Investment Window The ARTF Strategy Group, consisting of do- The objective of the Recurrent Cost Support including the delivery of services such as The Investment Window has increased sig- and Incentive Program is to provide a coordi- policy reform agenda, and the healthcare and education. Given that around nificantly in volume and scope. Since SY nors and MoF, meets monthly to review the implementation of the ARTF program and to nated and incentives-driven financing mech- non-security operating costs 60 percent of the non-uniformed Afghan 1389 (year 2010), investment commitments discuss strategic issues. anism, enabling the Afghan government to of government operations civil service is accounted for by teachers, the have exceeded recurrent cost commitments. make predictable, timely, and accurate pay- Ministry of Education has in general received Decentralized and national rural develop- ments for approved recurrent costs—related contributes to the achievement about 40 percent of total ARTF resources. The ment programs, such as NSP, rural roads, and How the ARTF works Donors contribute funds into a single ac- to salaries and wages of civil servants, and of Afghanistan’s national Ministries of Public Health, Foreign Affairs, education, have been strongly supported by count held by the World Bank in the USA. The non-security related government operating strategic goals. Labor, Social Affairs, and Higher Education the ARTF. ARTF Management Committee makes deci- and maintenance expenditures. have also been major recipients. As of December 21, 2017, there are 28 sions on proposed allocations at its regular The Recurrent Cost Window was set up in It should also be highlighted that the RCW projects active under the ARTF with a total meetings, and those decisions are translated 2002 to help the Afghan government meet resources are national in scope, ensuring the commitment value of $3.58 billion, of which into funds through Grant Agreements signed its recurrent (operating) budget needs. In payment of salaries of around 62 percent of $2.79 billion has been disbursed and the net between the World Bank as administrator 2009, the Incentive Program was added to non-uniformed civil servants in all 34 prov- undisbursed amount is $790 million. of the trust fund and the Government of support government reforms through a se- inces of the country. Steady year-on-year in- c Full details of investment activities are Afghanistan. ries of annual incentive payments aligned creases in operating costs across government provided in the ARTF Reports: www.artf.af ARTF allocations are made through two with completion of key reforms. mean the RCW accounts for a declining share “windows”: the Recurrent Cost Window and To date, the ARTF has disbursed $4.6 bil- of the overall budget. Nevertheless, the RCW the Investment Window. The Recurrent Cost lion through the government’s non-security still finances around 16 to 20 percent of the Window reimburses the government for a operating budget. Domestic revenues con- government’s non-security operating budget. certain portion of eligible and non-security tinue to be insufficient to cover the costs of related operating expenditure every year. The government. The ARTF RCW has therefore en- Country Update/ artf 34/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/35 / ongoing projects work at six research and seed production sta- This research station has tions, while work at the remaining farms is at seen an increase in its an advance stage of implementation. activities and production Afghanistan Component B: The work of nearly all after receiving financial and technical support Agricultural Inputs Border Quarantine Stations and the labora- from AAIP to improve its working conditions. tory complex has been completed and they Project (AAIP) are expected to be operational shortly. The support has allowed the research station to Grant $67.25 million Work on the regulatory framework has put in place equipment, produced good results—the Plant Protection staff training, and buildings, contributing AAIP aims to increase adoption of improved and Quarantine Law and Pesticide Law have to the sustainability of crop production technologies. The agri- been approved. The project is supporting im- its work. It is one of 11 culture sector is central to Afghanistan’s plementation of the legislation. active regional research stations supported by AAIP economy, employing 60 percent of the na- In addition, over 3,000 farmers, traders, producing breeder wheat tion’s workforce. As such, strengthening and MAIL staff, 205 of whom are women, seeds. the institutional capacity of the Ministry of have been trained on safe handling, storage, Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), and application of pesticides and the newly and increasing investments for the safety approved Pesticide Law. and reliability of agricultural inputs are in- Component C: The pilot voucher schemes valuable to support continued increase of in 2017 have been successfully completed, agriculture productivity. in which 6,000 farmers received vouchers, 98 Firstly, the project seeks to improve the percent of whom redeemed against part of technical and economic efficiency of the val- seed costs in four districts. The scheme was ue chain of certified wheat seed. well managed and demonstrated the value Secondly, building on the legal and regula- of direct links between farmers and seed tory framework that the project helped build companies. during the preparation phase, the project is developing the necessary accredited facilities for plant quarantine networks and quality Afghanistan Justice control of agro-chemicals. Thirdly, guided by the results of field sur- Service Delivery veys carried out during the preparation Project (JSDP) phase, the project is designing and piloting Grant $25 million a demand-led action plan to improve and de- closed on December 31, 2017 velop market-based input delivery systems for seeds. The objective of the Justice Service Delivery The sustainability of these interventions Project was to increase access to and use will be supported by capacity building pro- of legal services. The project aimed at help- The level of legal aid provision increased information center was established with the grams involving civil servants, farmers, and ing the Supreme Court (SC), the Attorney with the project having facilitated 65 legal necessary IT equipment, providing legal infor- traders. General’s Office (AGO), and the Ministry of aid providers across the country, each ex- mation and advice through a free hotline. Component A: The project has continued Justice (MoJ) pursue fundamental reforms pected to handle 10 cases a month. Legal The project also supported training on to deliver expected results in a satisfactory that would have longer term impact on the Aid Offices were established in the four pilot commercial cases for 165 judges in Egypt and way, both in soft activities, e.g., capacity judicial services. provinces (Bamyan, Herat, Kabul, and Logar) Afghanistan and 25 prosecutors on white col- building and the development of new wheat With JSDP support, the Supreme Court and targeted by the project. Legal representation lar crimes in Malaysia. varieties, and hard infrastructures, includ- the Attorney General’s Office completed their was provided in 24,000 cases in 21 provinces. Under the project, 17 judicial building were ing refurbishing and developing selected human resources needs assessment and The project also funded the development of a constructed, including the MoJ headquarters, research and seed production stations. Human Resources Management Strategies longer term Legal Aid Regulatory Framework administrative building of the SC, and urban Major achievements include training of that would help improve staff competency and and Roadmap for Afghanistan. courts in Parwan and Kandahar. 470 staff in short and medium term, as well quality in the two entities. Both institutions Complementary to this, 21 new libraries as through master’s and PhD programs; re- also conducted capacity needs assessments were established and another 20 provided lease of four new wheat varieties against the with JSDP support that led to a multi-year with books and equipment for all three jus- target of five; and completing rehabilitation capacity building plan for the SC and AGO. tice institutions in different provinces. A legal Country Update/ artf 36/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/37 Afghanistan On-Farm ated with (i) technical assistance for prepa- ration and implementation of capacity Water Management building programs; (ii) recruitment of some Project 1,500 managerial, common function, and professional staff for key positions in select- Grant $70 million ed line ministries; (iii) a management intern- This pilot project is designed to support on- ship program; (iv) training of civil servants; farm water management investments in and (v) project management, monitoring, five regions (Central, Eastern, Southwest, and evaluation. Northeast, Northern) covering a total of CBR is demand driven and open to all line 10,000 hectares. The project improves agri- ministries and independent agencies. Based cultural productivity in project areas by en- on pre-agreed criteria, including service de- hancing the efficiency of water use. livery potential and reform readiness, line Land productivity of wheat and other crops ministries and agencies are grouped as either has increased by 15–20 percent. Water pro- Category 1 (high priority) or Category 2. ductivity of wheat and other crops increased Category 1 ministries/agencies receive 15 percent, and the irrigated area increased full CBR reform support whereas Category 2 by 20 percent. Physical rehabilitation of ir- ministries receive foundational (“CBR–readi- rigation schemes exceeded its target with ness”) inputs designed to upgrade them to good quality and within the project budg- Category 1. Ministries/agencies in both et allocation and timeline: 170 irrigation categories must develop a comprehensive schemes (mostly informal) have been reha- reform plan (to be implemented with exist- bilitated, covering a total of 43,000 hectares ing donor and government resources) with of irrigation command area. Rehabilitation a results framework to which they are held of 75 irrigation schemes is ongoing, covering accountable. 22,000 hectares of land. Of the selected CBR positions, 807 have The establishment of 520 Irrigation been contracted to date, 52 of whom are Associations (IAs) has been completed. The women (7 percent of contracted positions), IAs are based on the traditional Mirab system with the remainder 503 contracts at various and have taken up the responsibilities for op- stages of quality review and approval. CBR eration and maintenance. is also assisting salary harmonization for donor-funded consultants embedded in or working in support of government. Capacity Building for The rehabilitation of the irrigation system in this Results Facility Project Central Asia South village has raised incomes and hopes of farmers. The for Afghanistan Asia-1000 increase in productivity of surrounding farmlands Service Standards Grants”; the component zation and communications will be carried objective remains the same, which is to satu- out either by existing facilitating partners Community Support through more efficient Grant $150 million irrigation practices was rate communities along the corridor of in- working with the Community Development Program (CASA-CSP) made possible through On- Capacity Building for Results (CBR) is a key Farm Water Management fluence (CoI) with electricity and fund other Councils at the time of CSP implementation ARTF investment that supports government Project, which undertook socio-economic investments. However, the or by MRRD staff; in developing its internal human capacity, Grant $40 million the rehabilitation. “All the modality of this component will change to Component 3: For project implementation farmers are happy about organizational structures, and functions over CASA-CSP was restructured in May 2017 to this as our farmlands have align with CCAP, in which CSP communi- support, the CSP now uses the CCAP’s General the medium term to improve service delivery extend the closing date and restructure the survived the threat of a dry ties will choose from a Minimum Service Directorate and CCAP systems for all man- to the population. harvest,” says a farmer. implementation and fiduciary arrangements Standards package pursuant to the rural area agement functions, including oversight, im- CBR promotes accountability in line min- to align the CSP with the new project im- service standards grants under CCAP. Since plementation support, technical assistance, istries by introducing results-based reform plementation structure under the Citizens’ CSP is linked to an energy sector operation, monitoring, and reporting. and services improvement programs. CBR is Charter Afghanistan Project. the priority will be to saturate the community After MoEW confirmed the line route in also one of the key tools for the government Due to the restructuring and better align- with power wherever feasible, with power 2017, MRRD conducted a survey that identi- to reduce reliance on external technical as- ment with the CCAP, changes were made to grid, off grid, or renewable energy projects. fied 580 communities falling within or close sistance and parallel structures. three components: Component 2: Community mobilization to the CASA-CoI. The survey also assessed the The grant helps finance the costs associ- Component 1: Renamed “Community remains the same, however, social mobili- general energy needs in each community as Country Update/ artf 38/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/39 well as the insecurity levels that may impact supported training and a new training center CSP implementation. are expected to improve skills of 90 percent of MRRD has hired two communications offic- DABS planning and O&M staff. ers who have been seconded to MoEW and is Design of the training center is almost com- finalizing recruitment of the communication plete and the construction work is expected firm that will be responsible for developing a to start toward the end of 2018. Procurement detailed communication strategy for the CSP of equipment for the training center and hir- and CASA-1000, planning of communication ing of a training consultancy package are at activities, and producing of multimedia prod- varying stages. ucts (print, radio, TV ads). To better align the work, prepare an imple- mentation plan, and improve collaboration, Higher Education the CASA-1000 and CASA CSP teams organ- Development Project ized joint meetings in February 2018 with Grant $50 million DABS, MoEW, MRRD, and contractors respon- sible for the transmission line and agreed on The Higher Education Development Project a number of actions going forward, including (HEDP) aims to increase access to higher a coordination mechanism. education in Afghanistan, as well as im- prove its quality and relevance. HEDP uses DABS Planning an Investment Project Financing instru- ment based on the Results-based Financing and Capacity modality. Support Project Under component one, project funds are being disbursed against selected line Grant $6 million items in the annual budget of the Ministry The Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat Planning of Higher Education (MoHE) up to capped and Capacity Support Project aims to improve amounts, and on condition that the agreed DABS capacity in distribution investment set of disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs) planning, implementation, and operation are achieved. and maintenance. The DLIs reflect the priorities for develop- This project has two components: ment. These include intermediate outcomes Key lecturers trained as Component 1: Staff capacity building, that build cumulatively over the lifespan master trainers are helping of HEDP to improve access to the higher transform teaching which aims to support DABS capacity to plan 30 individual and group research projects in public universities and implement new investments in distribu- education system and raise its quality and across Afghanistan. They to faculty members from public and private tion systems and to operate and maintain relevance. This component supports the re- have attended intensive universities. forms initiated through the National Higher workshops under a “train the investments properly. Enrollment in key priority disciplines the trainer” HEDP scheme, Component 2: Development of a train- Education Strategic Plan II and focuses on aimed at modernizing and (those that contribute to economic and so- ing center in Kabul. DABS does not have any outcomes and results rather than inputs. standardizing the higher cial development) has increased substan- education system in public training facility for its staff, and this has been The project started in September 2015 tially from 64,200 at the project baseline to universities. identified as a critical gap in its overall capac- and MoHE has met the second round of the about 79,400 this year. The special focus on ity building efforts. DLIs, which includes awarding 200 scholar- increasing female enrollment has also paid The project is supporting the preparation ships to university academics, of which one substantial dividends with female enroll- and implementation of annual O&M plans third is allocated to women candidates; ment increasing from 11,400 to approxi- for six major load centers using new proce- training of 300 faculty members practicing mately 15,000 for the current academic year. dures based on good international practice outcome-based education and student-cen- MoHE has developed a policy and by- adjusted for local conditions. The project- tered learning; and awarding an additional law for the practice of e-learning. This will Country Update/artf 40/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/41 support gradual introduction of blended borhood roads, 332 kilometers of community learning, incorporating e-learning into the drains, and 20.5 kilometers of trunk roads. university curriculum, as well as recognition Temporary employment of some 1.9 million of blended learning toward program credits. people has been generated through the exe- Four Internal Quality Assurance Units cution of contracts with labor intensive work (IQAU) have been established with manag- at an investment of $514/person per month. ers selected from among the respective uni- Durable infrastructure will generate second- versity faculties. Five universities are in the ary employment in the years ahead. process of establishing IQAUs. An external Importantly, KMDP has established a strong peer review of eight universities (four each foundation for gender inclusive community public and private) has been completed fol- participation in decision making over public lowing the revised Accreditation Framework. expenditures in Guzars (neighborhoods). The external peer review of 12 more univer- sities will start shortly. Four ICT centers with modern facilities Kabul Urban are being established, which will serve as Transport Efficiency the hub for using modern technology to im- prove teaching and learning, including the e- Improvement Project learning model. (KUTEI) Grant $90.5 million Kabul Municipal The project aims to improve road conditions Development Program and traffic flows on selected corridors of (KMDP) Kabul city. The project will focus on improve- ment of road infrastructure and provision of Grant $110 million technical assistance to Kabul Municipality in Kabul Municipality is responsible for imple- specific areas. menting the project. The project objectives Investments in key road infrastructure are to (i) increase access to basic munici- will improve connectivity and make Kabul The completion of pal services in selected residential areas of more inclusive, while technical and knowl- upgrading work on this edge support will gradually transform Kabul main road in Kabul city is Kabul city; (ii) redesign Kabul Municipality’s expected to improve the Financial Management System to support Municipality into a modern planning and lives of residents as well better service delivery; and (iii) enable early re- implementing agency by adopting best in- contracts for six roads, totaling 19.3 km, has as traffic circulation in the ternational practice. Kabul Municipality been completed and the roads opened to city. The reconstruction sponse in the event of an eligible emergency. project, undertaken The project is expected to deliver welfare will be responsible for project implementa- traffic. The pace of project implementation by KUTEI, will result in and human development benefits to over tion, including procurement and financial is picking up and all planned civil works con- asphalted roads, sidewalks, tracts have been awarded. The implementa- and a drainage system, 700,000 people through services provided management. among other benefits in some 1,800 hectares of private land. Progress toward the achievement of the tion progress for the newly awarded roads to residents and local There will be project support to develop a project development objectives will be meas- contracts stand at 20 percent. The civil works businesses. plan for improving the municipality’s finan- ured through the following indicators: (a) have been executed to high quality. cial management and planning capacity to traffic capacity improvements will be meas- The procurement for the consultancy con- deliver improved services. The plan will en- ured by average vehicle speed during off- tract for the design and review of 40 km of hance Kabul Municipality’s legitimacy when peak hours; (b) people (within a 500-meter new roads has started and is under evalua- implemented. range under the project) in urban areas pro- tion. The contract is expected to be awarded To date, $50.9 million has been disbursed. vided with access to all season roads; and (c) by June 2018. The project has prepared a de- Over 1 million people (about 73 percent wo- percentage of Kabul city’s trunk road network tailed plan for the remaining activities and men and children) have benefited from the in at least “fair” condition. the procurement will be completed most construction of about 247 kilometers of neigh- To date, implementation of infrastructure likely by end of the year. Country Update/ artf 42/  results can small grants, training, and mentorship for micro-entrepreneurs create jobs in Afghanistan? By Pratap Sinha and Fatima Kashefi A ccording to the United Nations Population Fund, about 63 percent of Afghans are un- der 25 years of age, reflecting a steep pyra- mid age structure whereby a large cohort of young people is emerging. Young people in Afghanistan, however, face significant challenges in health, educa- tion, employment, and gender inequality. To tackle these challenges, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled is targeting youth with low education in rural and semi-urban areas through a pilot micro-grants scheme, under the NATEJA project, to sup- port aspiring entrepreneurs in the face of low growth and dim job creation prospects in the private sector. When we first met Fariha, 23, during her selection in- terview for the micro-grant scheme, she was sceptical of receiving any government support, but confident about her beauty salon idea. It was a dream come true when she got the news of the micro-grant of $500. Fariha had port. Mentorship support from local business leaders learnt her skills as a trainee at a beauty salon, where she is being introduced to randomly selected entrepreneurs used the grant money to invest in. She is now a partner who received the micro-grant in Kabul. The mentorship and manager in the salon. “I did not earn enough as a scheme in Kabul matched some 75 mentors to almost trainee, but now I am a partner. It is a good job and it is 300 mentees in May and June 2017. getting better,” she says. An enthusiastic and promising mentor is Aliya Mo- Fariha is one of hundreds of women supported by “ hammadi, who runs her own beauty salon. She is men- NATEJA. Close to 2,500 micro-entrepreneurs, chosen toring five women under the NATEJA project. “In the first from 17,000 applicants, have received support from the session, the mentees had very low self-confidence,” she project. Around 30 percent are women entrepreneurs, says, “but by the second session, their confidence level In the first session, the mentees had based in Kabul, Nangarhar, and Balkh provinces. had increased and they were able to discuss things easily.” As a part of the NATEJA team, along with World Bank Whether the scheme is worthwhile at the micro-- strategic inputs, we had to think of additional ways to business level is yet to be assessed by the impact eva- very low self-confidence, but provide support at the local level to these young people, luation, although preliminary evidence suggests that such as mentorship and on-demand business counsel- seed funds to young entrepreneurs show a high level of ling. Can mentorship benefit micro start-up businesses? by the second session, their confidence level motivation and confidence boost in their engagement An attempt to find answers in a fragile country like Afghanistan might be relatively more complicated and as viable citizens of society. It is anticipated that the outcomes of this experience had increased and they were able ” challenging than otherwise. shall feed into a broader dialogue with stakeholders and policy makers on the economic empowerment and Boost to Confidence engagement of youth in Afghanistan, as they will shape to discuss things easily . We decided to find out by testing the idea of mentorship among selected micro-entrepreneurs in Kabul. Along the future of the country. with the micro-grant, groups of micro-entrepreneurs c This is an abridged version of a blog, which can be –Aliya Mohammadi, mentor and beauty salon owner receive business skills training and counseling sup- accessed at: http://wrld.bg/ORLO30iC2lc Country Update/ artf 44/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/45 Thousands of people in rural communities National Horticulture A total of 997 raisin drying houses has been constructed on a cost-sharing basis to are being given the opportunity to become and Livestock Project reduce post-harvest losses of grapes and im- self-sufficient and to turn their support into (NHLP) prove the quality of raisins produced. businesses. Widows, the Regarding livestock activities, NHLP con- disabled, and poor families Grant $190 million tinues to focus on key activities, including are receiving help from Afghan Farmers’ Contribution poultry production and animal health and ex- NHLP for poultry and fish farming, enabling them $28.2 million tension services, while expanding work pro- to make a living. “I am grams to other areas such as fishery and dairy. able to make some money NHLP aims to promote the adoption of im- Under the National Brucellosis Control and help feed my family,” proved production practices and technolo- says this beneficiary, who Program in 360 districts, more than 2.2 mil- gies by target farmers, with gradual rollout of received the poultry from lion young female calves and over 11.5 mil- the project. farmer-centric agricultural services systems lion young female sheep and goats have been and investment support. Service delivery vaccinated. centered on farmers promotes increased par- To date, the project has supported 122,800 ticipation of beneficiaries in defining the type farmers (78,968 women and 43,872 men), of services required and in the delivery itself. forging them into 5,768 producer groups, in- The project also promotes improved ratio of cluding poultry producer groups, to benefit overall costs reaching beneficiaries as direct from animal production and health servic- investments. The aim is, thus, to promote es. It has also extended its activities to new sustainability, effectiveness, and efficiency. geographical areas under sanitary mandate The project has three components: (i) hor- activities and is supporting MAIL’s relevant ticultural production; (ii) animal production directorate to implement them. and health; and (iii) implementation manage- NHLP activities are based on cost sharing, ment and technical assistance support. These accordingly it is expected that farmers will activities were initially implemented in 120 contribute $28.2 million to the cost of ser- focus districts in 23 target provinces. Based on vices and inputs received. the high demand for NHLP services, the pro- ject received additional financing to allow ex- pansion of its work programs to 250 districts Non-formal Approach in 31 provinces, with a national coverage plan. To date, NHLP has financed the establish- to Training ment of 16,750 hectares (ha) of new pista- Education and Jobs chio and fruit orchards in 32 provinces. In in Afghanistan Naghlu Hydropower signed in December 2015 and came into ef- addition, over 90,000 ha of existing orchards fect in August 2016. The work on turbine 1 have been rehabilitated and some 96,000 Project (NATEJA) Rehabilitation Project is nearing completion, while the work on tur- kitchen gardening schemes established. Grant $15 million (NHRP) bine 3 is expected to be completed toward The project has supported construction of the latter half of 2018. 1,037 small water harvesting structures, im- The objective of NATEJA is to increase the Grant $83 million Work on dam safety enhancement is also proving farmers’ resilience to weather change potential for employment and higher earn- The NHRP development objective is to im- Results expected under the NHRP underway. Progress to date includes rehabili- by allowing harvest and storage of water dur- ings of targeted young Afghan women and prove dam safety and sustainability of hy- tation of three warehouses inside the NHPP. ing the rainy season and gradual release in men in rural and semi-urban areas through dropower and to increase the supply of • Revived 50 MW unoperational capacity of Naghlu Hydropower Plant (NHPP) by The project includes a benefit-sharing the growing period based on crop needs. This non-formal skills training. The project focuses electricity at the Naghlu Hydropower Plant rehabilitating Unit 1 and overhauling Unit 3. program dedicated to the local population. has been implemented in partnership with on improving labor market outcomes (e.g., (NHPP). The NHPP is of strategic importance • Improved routine operation and maintenance of the power plant for five years. Under this program, electrification of villages Community Development Councils. earnings and employment) for unskilled and to Afghanistan’s power generation portfo- in Sorobi district is underway and the feasibil- To strengthen marketing, targeted farm- semi-skilled youth through enhancing the • Enhanced staff capacity to operate and maintain the power plant. lio as it provides more than half of Kabul’s ity of electrification of villages in Tagab prov- ers, both male and female, have been trained quality of training delivery and providing en- electricity. • Residents living near NHPP connected to electricity and local residents benefit ince is being investigated by DABS. Another on harvesting and post-harvest handling is- trepreneurship/apprenticeship support. The project came into effect in January from vocational training. aspect is vocational training for villagers. A sues. They have also been provided with a To date, 2,482 youth have received an en- 2016, after the signing of the Grant Agree- • Enhanced security and safety measures of the NHPP. vocational training manual has been pre- large number of essential tools (e.g., pruning trepreneurship grant. Field visits have report- ment. The main contract for the rehabili- pared and the next step will be to hold the shears, ladders, bags) for proper harvesting of ed that more than 95 percent of the targeted tation of turbines 1 and 3 of the plant was trainings. their products. grantees have started their new businesses Country Update/ artf 46/  / The World Bank Group in Afghanistan/47 after receiving the grants. The same percent- age of grantees with existing businesses has Second Public made further investments in their business- Financial Management es. A number of the targeted grantees made an additional investment to complement the Reform Project grant funding. The majority of visited grant- Grant $114.13 million ees indicated that their business had im- closed on december 31, 2017 proved as a result of receiving the grant. The project objective was to further NATEJA has partnered with the Italian strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness Development Cooperation Office to conduct of Afghanistan`s procurement, treasury, and an impact evaluation of the business grant audit systems. program that has been implemented in Project components included: six provinces (Balkh, Bamyan, Farah, Herat, Procurement Reform: Activities comprised Kabul, and Nangarhar) to establish the causal procurement facilitation, capacity building in impacts of project interventions and how to line ministries and provinces, and institution- scale up successful interventions. al development. The project provided techni- The baseline survey data collection has cal assistance to the National Procurement been completed and will be followed by an Authority to assess the legal and institutional endline survey to measure the respective im- Women’s agency, frameworks, handle procurement under the pacts of the business grant program on job autonomy, and well- recipient’s budget, develop an action plan creation, earnings, and skills acquired. being will be advanced by for procurement, prepare an e-procurement expanding their access to economic resources assessment and build human capacity of Second Education under the Women’s Economic Empowerment procurement staff, improve the quality of trainings of procurement officers, and build Quality Improvement National Priority Program. Program activities will capacity in line ministries. Program (EQUIP II) include training in literacy, business management, The project helped strengthen the institu- tional development of NPA by providing sup- Grant $408 million and labor skills as well as port in its establishment, structures, systems, more inclusive access to closed on december 31, 2017 finance and better access processes and procedures, and implementa- to agricultural resources EQUIP’s objective was to increase equitable and markets. tion strategy. The project supported govern- access to quality basic education, especially ance and anti-corruption activities and legal for girls. Program interventions were pri- support for the review and amendment of marily targeted toward general education, the Afghan Procurement Law as the result of teacher training, and education manage- a presidential decree. ment. The program was fully aligned with In addition, 154,811 teachers were trained II, 16,588 Quality Enhancement Grants were Financial Management Reform: Provided the Afghanistan National Education Strategic under the In-Service Teacher Training (INSET) awarded to schools for the purchase of school technical assistance to the Treasury Depart- Plan and supported the institutional develop- series I–V, 35 percent of whom are women, supplies, laboratory equipment, computers, ment to ensure high quality financial mana- ment of the Ministry of Education’s program and more than 71,000 teachers completed and other learning material. gement, focused on integrating its operation staff. EQUIP was originally supported by the INSET VI as of 2017. At the same time, 21,277 The development of an online education at- system with government systems and the World Bank. school principals and administrators were las of schools in Afghanistan was completed. application of the Afghanistan Financial EQUIP I and II supported the construction trained in School Management Training (SMTs The atlas presents key education statistics and Management Information System (AFMIS); of 1,177 schools, six teacher training colleges I–VI), about 20 percent of whom are women. indicators on online maps, which can be used introduced improved management report- and 21 administrative buildings. Based on More than 130,000 teachers graduated from at national, subnational, and school level. ing and expanded access of AFMIS budgetary 2017 data, a total of 5.5 million boys and 3.4 the teacher training colleges during the life of units in the provincial offices of the Ministry the project, of whom 11,436 female students of Finance; assisted staff in the prepara- million girls account for the total enrollment received scholarships. tion, monitoring, and implementation of in Grades 1 to 12. The number of boys exceed- Under both phases of EQUIP, social mobi- individual training plans, as well as annual ed the target under the project, but girls’ en- lization activities were conducted in 14,932 performance appraisals; prepared training rollment stagnated and showed a reduction communities, resulting in the establishment modules on MoF processes under the certi- in Grade 1 intake. These numbers are inclusive of an equal number of school shuras (commu- fied accounting technician courses provided of permanently absent students who remain nity-based consultative bodies). Under EQUIP by the Association of Chartered Certified on the school registration for three years. Country Update/ artf 48/  results new facilities boost School Enrollment and Learning • A girls’ school in Balkh Province is seeing greater student enrollment thanks to improvement in facilities and quality of education. • A Quality Enhancement Grant from the Education Quality Improvement Program has helped provide a better learning environment, including two laboratories and a library. • The program has awarded grants to 435 schools in Balkh province, benefiting thousands for students. A ll eyes in the class are focused intently on the model of the human skeleton hanging loosely in the science laboratory. Sona, 13, a Grade 8 student, is explaining the structure of the human body to her classmates. It is a typical day for students in Ommolbilad Girls High School. After the presentation, Sona says, “We read about the structure of the human body in the book but in the lab, we can see the body parts. This helps us a lot and we learn the subject much better.” She is grateful for this opportunity to learn in an interactive way. “I want to be a doctor in the future and the laboratory is the beginning of my journey,” she says. Sona and her classmates have EQUIP to thank for sup- porting their school. With EQUIP support, the Ommol- bilad Girls High school is now in high demand in Balkh province. “We have standard classrooms and enough fa- cilities for the students,” says Aminullah, 52, the school’s students but attracted so many more to education— educational deputy. “The EQUIP Quality Enhancement their families, their communities as well as friends and Grant has brought about many positive additions and “ relatives in districts far away,” Alia Najimi, the school’s the quality of education is getting better day by day in headmistress, says. the school.” Since 2008, the program has constructed 45 school In 2013, EQUIP awarded the school a Quality Enhance- buildings, established 600 School Management Shuras EQUIP has ment Grant (QEG) of $15,000. With the grant, the school (councils), and awarded QEGs to 435 schools in Balkh set up and equipped laboratories for general science and computers, as well as a library. The grant also enabled province. “EQUIP efforts in Balkh province have increased not only improved schooling the quality of education and helped institutionalize close the school to paint the walls with informational dia- coordination between the community and school staff,” grams and establish a park and green space for students. says Homayoon Rahmani, EQUIP Provincial Coordinator for these students but attracted so many in Balkh. School and Community Work Together The attractiveness of the school has clearly made an ” more to education—their families, their The school, located in the Karti Noshad area in the 9th impact on the community, reflected in the increasing district of Mazar-e-Sharif city, was co-educational when popularity of enrollment. Enrollment increased to 3,000 it started 1990 and became a girls’ school in 2010. There students in 2016 from 2,000 in previous years as a re- sult of the EQUIP support, supplemented by the school communities as well as friends and relatives. are nearly 3,000 students attending daily classes in three sessions (shifts) and 80 teachers at the school. council’s hard work. “EQUIP has not only improved schooling for these –Alia Najimi, headmistress, Ommolbilad Girls High School Country Update/ artf 50/  Accountants (UK); established a national steering committee for developing and regu- SIGTAS implementation in all major tax offi- ces helped progressively increase transaction Women’s Economic lating the accounting and auditing profession volume as core functions are automated; and Empowerment and the training of professional accountants; and conducted a public financial manage- local capacity was built in ICT, audit, legal, and human resource reforms. National Priority ment assessment of seven line ministries. Project outcomes included (i) disbursement Program (WEE-NPP) Audit Reform and Performance: Internal of approximately $75.40 million from total Grant $5 million Audit—supported efforts to develop in- commitment (77 percent); audit of nine large ternal audit capacity through a variety of ministries by SAO, representing more than 75 The objective of the WEE-NPP is to advance means, including training and provision of IT percent of government expenditure as per women’s agency, autonomy, and well-being infrastructure. international audit standards; (ii) rollout of by expanding women’s access to economic External Audit—provided assistance to the AFMIS upgrade (to web-based version); (iii) resources. Supreme Audit Office (SAO) to develop its improved coverage of internal audit; and (iv) The WEE-NPP is led by a Project Coordination knowledge, expertise, and practices in using National Procurement Committee (NPC) deci- Office (PCO) in the Ministry of Labor, Social the services and results of other auditors and sions reported immediately and uploaded to Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD). The experts in line with International Auditing the NPA website. PCO is responsible for overseeing WEE-NPP ac- Standards, in particular for project audits; The legal framework underpinning pub- tivities across six pillars: (i) increasing the avail- supported consultant services to train staff lic financial management in Afghanistan ability of gender statistics; (ii) removing legal and lead high quality independent review has been established. The government barriers to participation; (iii) training in literacy, of all operations under the budget of nine now prepares and passes a comprehensive business management, and labor skills; (iv) in- line ministries over the project period; and budget in an orderly and transparent man- clusive access to finance; (v) access to agricul- financed training of members of the Public ner. Parliament enacted the accountancy tural inputs, extension services, and markets; Accounts Committee. law and Certified Professional Accountants and (vi) access to creative economy markets. Reform Management: Supported MoF by Afghanistan has been established. The three-year Project Preparation Grant establishing a structure and job descriptions, Project support to Afghanistan’s central- (PPG) has three components: (i) coordina- providing training for staff in the monitor- ized procurement oversight was mobilized tion and program management; (ii) provide ing and evaluation department, and revising and the National Procurement Authority, as technical assistance and capacity building MoF’s existing monitoring and evaluation the successor to the Procurement Policy Unit, for line ministries carrying out WEE activities manual; improved the operations of the continues to assist with the reorganization, and conduct relevant analytic work; and (iii) Human Resource Management Department development, and assessment of procure- establish and operate an Innovation Fund to to enable it to carry out its functions effi- ment units in the line ministries. support women’s economic activities. ciently; assisted in the overall project imple- As a result of project support, there is im- Despite the slow progress of implementa- mentation and provided for future requests proved coverage and quality of internal and tion of the PPG, several important steps have for assistance on the design and delivery of external audit. Internal audit coverage is now been taken to define and set up the overall public financial management technical as- 50 percent of government expenditure and institutional and coordination arrangements sistance across government; and provided 25 percent of government revenue. External for the WEE-NPP. The PCO’s working lines and broad-based training for staff of MoF and line audit coverage is 75 percent of government coordination mechanisms within MoLSAMD ministries. expenditure. leadership, Technical Working Group for op- Revenue Mobilization: Supported the Donors shifted their off-budget official de- erational coordination, Steering Committee Afghanistan Revenue Department to carry velopment assistance to Afghanistan to on- (SC) for management-level coordination, and out its mandate, including support for the budget. Baseline was 20 percent on-budget Human Development Council for high-level maintenance of the computerized tax sys- assistance that increased to 60 percent at coordination have been established and their tem (Standard Integrated Government Tax project closure. roles and responsibilities defined and agreed Administration System, SIGTAS), implemen- upon by the relevant parties. tation of tax-related initiatives such as risk- The SC, co-chaired by the Ministry of based compliance, implementation of the Women’s Affairs, MoLSAMD, and MoF, has met new value added tax, and the design and twice and formally endorsed the SC’s struc- implementation of its new organizational ture, roles and responsibilities. The program structure. has high visibility within the government Achievements under this component in- Note: All dollar figures are in US dollar equivalents. cluded a clear strategy and roadmap devel- IDA, the International Development Association, is the oped for its reorganization to sustain reforms; World Bank’s concessionary lending arm. The World Bank Group in Afghanistan www.worldbank.org.af Abdul Raouf Zia http://facebook.com/WorldBankAfghanistan phone +93 701 133 328 http://twitter.com/WorldBankSAsia infoafghanistan@worldbank.org photos and photo cover © Rumi Consultancy/World Bank/2018. House 19, Street 15, Wazir Akbar Khan, Kabul, afghanistan ©World Bank, April 2018.