S TA K E H O L D E R E N G A G E M E N T I N A F R I C A S T R AT E G I C PA RT N E R S H I P S F O R D E V E LO P M E N T I M PA C T Civil Society Organizations Members of Parliament AND P art of the World Bank’s work in Africa is engaging a wide range of diverse stakeholders—both within and outside of national governments—to share perspectives and build partnerships that strengthen development outcomes. In particular, civil society organizations (CSOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and members of parliaments (MPs) have emerged as vital forces for achieving development effectiveness in African countries. In recent years, the World Bank Africa Region has deepened relations with civil society and parliamentarians. The following pages highlight some of the successful approaches in 11 African countries. The unique political context of each country drives these stakeholder engagements, resulting in a variety of activities and best practices that can be adapted elsewhere. CIVI L SOCI ETY MEMBERS OF O R G A N I Z AT I O N S PARLIAM ENT 04 GHANA: Establishing a dedicated platform for more targeted, 16 CAMEROON: Building MPs’ awareness and buy-in of the World Bank country meaningful CSO engagement portfolio 06 MALAWI: Focusing CSO engagement to build accountability in education 18 MADAGASCAR: Increasing interaction with MPs to strengthen their development governance role 08 MOZAMBIQUE: Reaching out to civil society to gain mutual understanding 20 NIGERIA: Engaging MPs for increased understanding of World Bank operations 10 SENEGAL: Ensuring CSO involvement in project planning and 22 SOUTH AFRICA: Enhancing dialogue with MPs through flagship reports implementation 12 TOGO: Utilizing a three-tier approach to CSO engagement 24 ZAMBIA: Consulting with MPs to share knowledge and boost oversight 14 UGANDA: Partnering with CSOs for greater accountability, effectiveness, and impact ENGAGING Civil Society Organizations CSOs are long-time development partners, working at the forefront—and the margins— to solve many of Africa’s most pressing development challenges. They advocate for good governance and transparency and serve as the voice of the people, promoting social accountability and inclusion. The World Bank engages with CSOs to promote: 1. Meaningful country engagement for effective local development solutions 2. Social accountability by monitoring World Bank’s operations 3. Social inclusion of the marginalized 4. More CSO participation in the development debate The World Bank has also deepened its operational collaboration with stakeholders by encouraging CSOs’ participation in the implementation and monitoring of World Bank- financed projects and their cooperation in areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and more. Collaborating with CSOs • Sector-specific information sharing and policy dialogues • Civil Society Policy Forum and workshops at World Bank Spring and Annual Meetings • Participation in End Poverty Day, Open Houses, and other events • Consultations on Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF), Systematic Country Diagnoses (SCD), Country Economic Updates, and projects preparation • Operational collaboration to implement project activities • Support through the Global Partnership for Social Accountability • Capacity-building workshops • Free and open access to World Bank data and cutting-edge research on development 2 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs ENGAGING Members of Parliaments MPs are natural development partners as they enact laws, debate, and approve foreign aid budgets and loans. They shape and review development policies and © O. Hebga/World Bank hold governments accountable for World Bank-financed programs. Engaging with MPs helps to build political The Country Partnership will and financial support for the World Bank mandate Framework (CPF) guides the and operations. Strengthening parliamentary advocacy World Bank Group’s support to can condition the success of World Bank programs and a member country. It is based ensure their relevance to the needs of local populations. on a country-driven model that is systematic, evidence-based, Connecting with MPs selective, and focused on the World Bank’s twin goals of • The Parliamentary Network on the World ending extreme poverty and Bank and International Monetary Fund increasing shared prosperity in a (IMF) sustainable manner. • Global Parliamentary Conferences and workshops at World Bank Spring and A Systematic Country Annual Meetings Diagnostic (SCD) informs • Field visits for a firsthand look at World each new CPF. Derived from a Bank programs on the ground thorough analysis and informed • Consultations on CPFs, SCDs, and other by consultations with a range of World Bank strategies and policies stakeholders, the SCD identifies • Thematic briefings the most important challenges • Capacity-building workshops and opportunities a country • Free and open access to World Bank data faces in advancing towards the and cutting-edge research on development twin goals. 3 CIVIL SO CIE TY ORGAN IZ ATION S GHANA Establishing a dedicated platform for more targeted, meaningful CSO engagement The World Bank is working to reinforce its engagement with Ghanaian civil society to support better project results and accountability. Efforts focus on four key areas: 1. Deepening CSO understanding of the World Bank’s country operations (policies, projects, and programs) 2. Enhancing CSO capacity to monitor and evaluate World Bank projects and programs 3. Establishing a more formally structured World Bank Civil Society Platform 4. Setting the overall tone for stronger collaboration and effective advocacy As a first step, CSO contact information was compiled into a database to facilitate easier, more consistent outreach on World Bank roundtables, Open Houses, and other events. This has underpinned a new World Bank Civil Society Platform established to better target and engage with specific CSOs at different levels. With free and open membership, the platform is structured to ease CSOs’ participation in discussions on projects in Ghana and increase access to World Bank knowledge. Quarterly meetings are held with CSOs on specific topics determined by the Working Group. For example, at the request of CSOs working on governance issues, the World Bank used its convening power to invite the Auditor General of Ghana to brief members of the World Bank Civil Society Platform on public finance management and how to strengthen accountability in Ghana. This interaction allowed the CSOs to have an informed interaction with the Ministry of Finance on key financial issues in the country and to make important policy recommendations to strengthen expenditure controls. Moreover, they were able 4 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs In April 2017, the World Bank invited CSOs in Ghana to discuss the World Bank’s Country Portfolio Performance Review and attend a Results Fair to learn more about World Bank-funded projects in Ghana. © Kennedy Fosu / World Bank WORLD BANK CIVIL SOCIETY PLATFORM to engage more effectively with other multilateral agencies and the government STEERING on fiscal issues. COMMITTEE WORLD BANK Collaboration with other stakeholder GHANA TEAM Elected or appointed groups includes teaming up with from among Working the Economic Governance Platform Group members (previously the Civil Society Platform on the IMF Programme) and Oxfam in February 2019 for a roundtable workshop on “The Suitable Model of a Fiscal Council for Ghana: Learning WORKING from Best Practices.” Held in the wake of an IMF-backed bailout GROUP program in the country, the workshop brought together notable speakers and some 50 participants from civil society, development 1 representative from the partners, academia, and the media. They shared research, analysis, CSO mapping based on World Bank sectors (e.g., and viewpoints and called for government interventions to Water, Health, etc.) strengthen fiscal discipline. Results and next steps GENERAL The World Bank Civil Society Platform has helped open up MEMBERSHIP relations with CSOs. The World Bank Ghana office now invites CSO representatives to participate in the annual Country Portfolio 5 representatives from national coalitions/ Performance Review, previously closed to them. CSOs also have platforms a bigger role in providing feedback on World Bank investments in Ghana’s public financial management systems. CSO feedback on the issues of political clientelism and corruption has been incorporated into Ghana’s new SCD (November 2018), which will inform Ghana’s CPF. 5 CIVIL SO CIE TY ORGAN IZ ATION S MALAWI Focusing CSO engagement to build accountability in education governance For the past few years, the World Bank, through the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA), has engaged with CSOs in Malawi to improve education governance in the country. The GPSA helps civil society and governments work together to solve critical governance challenges. It provides strategic and sustained support to CSOs’ social accountability initiatives aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability. In Malawi, the primary area of focus is education governance. The conversation to engage in this area started in 2013 when the Malawi Client Survey revealed education and governance/corruption as priority areas of intervention. The GPSA availed an opportunity to combine governance and education through a project addressing issues related to the procurement of teaching and learning materials and teacher absenteeism, both of which adversely affect learning outcomes at the primary school level. With GPSA support, the Malawi Economic Justice Network (a coalition of CSOs with governance experience), Care Malawi, and the Civil Society Education Coalition began activities to strengthen both CSO and community capacity in monitoring and advocating for transparency and accountability in the public procurement processes of the education sector. They also built capacity in monitoring teacher absenteeism using social accountability tools, such as community score cards, and mobile technologies in a project covering 90 schools in 12 districts across the country. Results and next steps Since the launch of this focused CSO engagement, illegal sale of textbooks has been reduced by 80 percent and schools that never received textbooks in the past, due to exclusion from the national school directory, now receive them. 6 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs Schoolchildren at Nkasaulo Primary School in Machinga District, Malawi read their textbooks. The Machinga District is one of several benefitting from a program that ensures textbook delivery. © Zeria N. Banda/World Bank Over 7,600 people in local school committees have been trained in monitoring procurement of teaching and learning materials. This has increased teachers and administrators’ accountability for school supplies. Monitoring reports produced by CSOs are now shared with local authorities and the Office of the Director of Public Procurement, which speeds action and saves the Ministry of Education from wasteful spending. The primary education sub-sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of national education expenditures. Teacher absenteeism has also decreased by 15 percent in the project schools. Parents and communities are collaborating to address problems that cause teacher absenteeism in their children’s schools, such as high teacher-pupil ratios. Furthermore, the relationship between teachers, parents, and students has improved, as evidenced by increased student attendance and more parent involvement in developmental activities at school. Taken together, these improvements are expected to enhance learning outcomes in primary schools and reverberate beyond the classroom. Successful learning in primary school correlates to progression to higher levels of education and national literacy levels, both of which impact the country’s human development index. 7 CIVIL SO CIE TY ORGAN IZ ATION S MOZAMBIQUE Reaching out to civil society to gain mutual understanding The World Bank has a longstanding collaboration with CSOs in Mozambique to improve the World Bank’s understanding of the “lay of the land,” as well as the root causes of recurrent conflicts in the country, as means to mitigate risks. Over the years, efforts have been designed to improve the World Bank’s intelligence gathering by sharpening its listening skills and expanding dialogue with civil society. For example, the World Bank began inviting members of civil society to its Mozambique office for “brown bag lunch” discussions to share their perspectives on the challenges facing Mozambique today. Once a novelty, World Bank staff members now regularly get the opportunity to interact with guest speakers from a wide swath of civil society. These conversations cover diverse topics that bring social, cultural, business, political, fiscal, and security issues into focus. For International Women’s Day in March 2019, the World Bank invited four young entrepreneurs and two female artists to share their daily struggles and stories of success with World Bank staff. Prior to that, acclaimed Mozambican writer and anthropologist Paulina Chiziane presented the stories behind the characters of her novels. Chiziane is known from producing anthropically rich stories and characters that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage. Listening and learning are critical aspects of the World Bank’s engagement with non-state actors in Mozambique, but so is informing and educating stakeholders on the World Bank’s role in the country. A recent partnership with the Media Lab journalism program acknowledges the World Bank’s need for better voice and accountability through a capable media. Administered by global development and education organization IREX and funded by USAID, the partnership launched in 2018 aims to help Mozambique’s emerging journalists better understand and interpret complex development 8 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs To mark the 2019 International Women’s Day, the World Bank Mozambique office invited local entrepreneurs and artists to share their stories with staff. © Rafael Saute /World Bank topics, such as natural resources management, poverty economics, human development and the demographic dividend, economic diversification, and jobs. These were some of the themes that World Bank experts covered in a lecture and dialogue series with the young journalists. A year on, the partnership continues to grow with the World Bank Mozambique office seeking to include internships with its communications department and other interested Global Practices. Results and next steps While it is admittedly difficult to measure the impact of dialogue, these engagements with civil society have helped the World Bank better understand the country’s political economy and have informed World Bank operations and risk mitigation efforts. The practice of organizing brown bag lunches with guest speakers has expanded considerably within the World Bank Mozambique office. All Global Practices now hold regular engagements with external experts in their areas of interest to gain insight and exchange ideas. Guest speakers are also invited to country team retreats. 9 CIVIL SO CIE TY ORGAN IZ ATION S SENEGAL Ensuring CSO involvement in project planning and implementation Strong engagement with CSOs is at the core of the World Bank’s work in Senegal, particularly for projects financed by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s poorest countries. CSOs are partners in project development—addressing key issues that will benefit populations—and project implementation—mobilizing community action and support to achieve shared goals. For example, the Stormwater Management and Climate Change Adaptation Project (PROGEP) is working to reduce flood risks in peri-urban areas of the capital city Dakar and to improve capacity to plan and implement sustainable, climate-smart city management practices. Since the project began in 2012, over 144,000 people and 744 hectares of flood-prone areas have been protected against flooding and associated risks. World Bank and CSO collaboration has played an important role by establishing civil society committees that contribute to project objectives. East of Dakar in the town of Pikine, the Local Rainwater and Climate Change Management Committee (COLIGEP) has been fully involved in the development and implementation of the project. It is one of nine local committees created to ensure efficient adoption and implementation of capacity building programs, including ongoing training and equipment procurement. Community investment projects have been particularly successful, combining shared social spaces and equipment, such as playgrounds or sports fields, with nearby rainwater drainage works, like basins or evacuation channels. These local committees play a leading role in sustaining best practices introduced by the project by upholding community ownership and accountability. CSOs have also played a crucial role in achieving the Dakar-Diamniadio Toll Road, a 24-kilometer stretch that is credited with slashing commuting time 10 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs Community leader in Yeumbeul Nord explains her role under PROGEP. © Mademba Ndiaye/World Bank between the cities of Dakar and Diamniadio. Serving as an interface with affected populations, CSOs successfully implemented the involuntary resettlement plan in the region. Their engagement and determination led to 30,000 people being resettled and supported by the government at the outset of the project. The Dakar Bus Rapid Transit project is building on this experience to engage with CSOs and ensure a smooth resettlement operation. Results and next steps CSO and citizen engagement in projects continues to be enhanced. For example, improvements in the management of the grievance redress mechanism aim to involve CSOs in assisting populations potentially affected by a project. Beyond projects, the World Bank Senegal office has reached out to CSOs to enhance the SCD and the CPF processes. In June 2017, it co-organized with CONGAD, a CSO umbrella organization, a SCD consultation with 20 of the country’s most prominent CSOs from a variety of sectors, including youth, women, human rights, development, and education. A similar group gathered in March 2019 to discuss the draft CPF 2019-2024. 11 CIVIL SO CIE TY ORGAN IZ ATION S TOGO Utilizing a three-tier approach to CSO engagement The World Bank has established strong relationships within the civil society of Togo. This promotes CSOs’ prominent participation in project preparation and supervision, governance issues, and the overall development debate. The World Bank’s engagement with the Togolese civil society occurs at three distinct levels. 1. Grassroots community organizations and villager groups: World Bank teams meet with these groups during supervision missions to discuss their participation in projects and how achievements can impact their living conditions. For example, to prepare a project on enhancing the poor’s access to basic services through citizen engagement, the World Bank held a series of consultations with CSOs in four target villages. Using a scorecard approach, communities identified their needs and priorities, which helped the project team develop a results framework to inform the design of the main proposal. This exercise also raised interest among community members to organize themselves and demand accountability and coordination with public service providers to improve delivery. 2. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and umbrella CSOs working with grassroots organizations: World Bank teams reach out to these organizations during project preparation consultations, project implementation, mid-term reviews, high profile visits, and other public relation opportunities in Togo. This intermediate level engagement helps to bring more voices to the development debate. For example, two CSO organizations were involved in the End Poverty Day celebration in 2018 and 2019. They participated in field visits to see firsthand some of the achievements of World Bank-funded agriculture projects. 12 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs CSO representatives and members of academia attend consultations on the Togo Country Partnership Framework’s Performance and Learning Review (March 2019). © Christophe Mawunu 3. Specialized, high-level organizations: These groups tend to be more established and are at the forefront of demanding better governance and CSO participation in Togo’s development agenda. This specific engagement finds ways to give civil society a seat at the table and influence the decision-making process of some key projects funded by the World Bank. For example, a select group of CSOs was deeply involved in the preparation of the Economic Governance Project to address critical economic governance and public fiscal management challenges in Togo. CSOs specialized in governance, education, health, and water were part of the initial conversation and two participated in the project’s Steering Committee to help increase public accountability and citizen engagement in the budget preparation and executing process. They also provided citizen feedback on the quality and accessibility of public services in priority sectors. Results and next steps The World Bank’s engagement with Togo’s civil society is multi-dimensional, ensuring greater CSO and citizen involvement in World Bank-financed projects and greater development effectiveness. The World Bank Togo office continuously seeks new ways to expand outreach, including conducting extensive consultations with CSOs during the SCD and CPF preparation processes and during multi-stakeholder meetings. CSOs share their views on the World Bank’s citizen engagement approach and shed light on the realities on the ground regarding the delivery of public services. 13 CIVIL SO CIE TY ORGAN IZ ATION S UGANDA Partnering with CSOs for greater accountability, effectiveness, and impact Uganda’s civil society is a key actor in the country’s development. It provides direct support to government and development partners in delivering essential services and actively mobilizes citizens to participate in and monitor programs. The World Bank country office in Uganda collaborates closely with many diverse organizations. CSOs play an important role in enhancing social accountability and citizen participation in World Bank-financed projects. Municipal Development Forums (MDF), for example, were established under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Project, which covers 14 urban centers nationwide. The MDFs bring together key stakeholders, including CSOs and beneficiary communities, to voice their concerns and participate in designing and implementing projects that address the needs of citizens. This facilitates greater ownership of project activities and increases the chances of success. The Transparency Accountability and Anti-Corruption (TAAC) initiative established under the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAFIII), a community-driven project that covers more than 50 districts in Northern and Eastern Uganda, also promotes citizen engagement in monitoring the sub- project selection process and resource allocation. Under TAAC, the Inspectorate of Government works with CSOs to train beneficiary groups to manage and implement sub-projects, as part of long-term capacity building to support government efforts. Involving communities and CSOs in this direct manner ensures support is channeled to the poorest and most vulnerable, helping to promote inclusive development. CSOs also support the Government of Uganda in implementing World Bank- financed projects in instances when government agencies lack the capacity and personnel to reach communities at the grassroots. Under the Supporting 14 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs Nkingo Girls’ Club members enjoy each other’s company after their weekly meeting to discuss reproductive health and receive life skills and leadership training, supported by SCOPE. © World Bank / Globe Video Children’s Opportunities through Protection and Empowerment (SCOPE) Project, CSOs implement various components, including sensitizing communities against sexual abuse and exploitation of girls, providing health services, and training service providers to improve their speed and quality. Additionally, CSOs participate actively in World Bank analytical and knowledge dissemination activities, mainly as research consultants, peer reviewers, and panelists during launch events. This strengthens knowledge exchange and learning and provides strong evidence and data to inform policy advocacy and project design. For example, the May 2017 Open Day jointly held by the World Bank and the Government of Uganda was an opportunity for CSOs to participate and exhibit alongside World Bank-financed projects, demonstrating their capability to provide implementation support and achieve stronger shared results. CSOs are also invited to provide feedback on the World Bank’s performance and to suggest areas of improvement during CPF consultations. Results and next steps Collectively, these engagements enable the World Bank to obtain real-time beneficiary feedback and to support the government in developing more demand-driven programs that respond to the changing needs of Ugandan citizens. CSOs help put the World Bank in a stronger position to contribute toward achieving shared prosperity and reducing extreme poverty in Uganda. 15 EN GAGEMENT WITH PAR LIAM E N TARI A NS CAMEROON Building MPs’ awareness and buy-in of the World Bank country portfolio Outreach to parliamentarians has been a priority of the World Bank country office in Cameroon ever since the 2013 Cameroon Country Survey indicated a perception that World Bank stakeholder engagement was narrowly focused on government administrators, thereby limiting the visibility of the World Bank’s work in the country. In an effort to build relationships with a wider range of stakeholders, the World Bank identified parliamentarians as important development partners who required greater attention. In Cameroon, development projects are not discussed in the National Assembly, so MPs often lack information on development agencies such as the World Bank. Many do not understand the World Bank mandate in the country. Many do not fully appreciate their own role as third-party monitors of development projects. To bridge the gap, the World Bank established a dedicated focal point for MPs within its Cameroon office to help nurture a relationship between the National Assembly and the World Bank. In October 2014, a local chapter of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and the IMF (Parliamentary Network) was created. With over 60 members today, the chapter is very active. Members regularly participate in World Bank activities, including SCD and CPF consultations, launches of flagship reports like the Cameroon Economic Update, and information sessions on World Bank operations in various sectors, like health and agriculture, and in various country locations, especially the fragile northern region. Keeping MPs updated on World Bank-financed projects and programs in the regions they represent in parliament can ensure better understanding for more informed advocacy and better oversight of project implementation and impact on the ground. To that end, the World Bank Cameroon office organizes region-specific workshops and field visits for parliamentarians to see development solutions in action. 16 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs Parliamentary Hon. Pauline Ndoumou, President of the Cameroon Network chapter of the Parliamentary Network, and Hon. Emmanuel Mbiam traveled to Cameroon’s Far North Region to The Parliamentary Network witness World Bank activities firsthand. on the World Bank and © O. Hebga / World Bank IMF provides a platform for parliamentarians from over A recent MP workshop shed more light on how World 140 countries to advocate for Bank activities in the Far North Region are addressing increased accountability and multiple poverty issues in rural areas and impacting transparency in international people’s lives. MP were able to see how projects are financial institutions and connecting farmers with agribusinesses and protecting multilateral development vulnerable populations from floods. financing. Founded in 2000, the Parliamentary Network seeks to engage law makers Results and next steps from around the globe in the Findings of the 2016 Cameroon Country Survey suggest common mission of addressing that perceptions of the World Bank have improved good governance and poverty significantly in a number of areas, including stakeholder challenges in both their home engagement. The World Bank is considered a long-term countries and abroad. Directed partner and received high marks for its collaboration by a twelve-member Board with the government. Respondents also affirmed the elected by their peers, the World Bank’s ability to collaborate with other donors and Parliamentary Network is an partners and its respectful treatment of stakeholders. independent non-governmental Parliamentarians also have a better understanding of organization with a secretariat in World Bank activities and they follow up more regularly in Paris, France. their localities on project implementation. 17 EN GAGEMENT WITH PAR LIAM E N TARI A NS MADAGASCAR Increasing interaction with MPs to strengthen their development role Parliamentarians are important partners for the World Bank in Madagascar due to their legislative mandate and their proximity to the beneficiaries of World Bank-financed projects. The World Bank has been able to use the 2017-2021 Country Partnership Framework for Madagascar as an entry point to further engage members of parliament and enhance their role in the development process in the country. Evaluated at USD 1.5 billion for a series of projects over a five-year period, the CPF calls for strengthening resilience and reducing fragility in Madagascar while promoting inclusive economic growth. It is an expression of the World Bank’s commitment to the country and the Malagasy people and a tool for accountability. As such, it is important that MPs are fully aware of the CPF and the intended benefits for their constituents. In Madagascar, MPs have a right and duty to question the government on the implementation of development projects. Their understanding of the World Bank’s presence and work in the country helps them exercise their oversight of Madagascar’s development agenda. Once the CPF was approved by the Board of the World Bank in 2017, the World Bank Madagascar office was able to inform the Malagasy MPs about the World Bank’s commitments in the country and raise awareness of the various draft loan agreements for funded projects that will eventually make their way to the chambers of parliament for vote. 18 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs Tiago Peixoto, Senior Governance Specialist at the World Bank Madagascar, explains to the MPs how the World Bank supports the decentralization process in Madagascar. © World Bank Results and next steps Consultations with parliamentarians have led to increased dialogue with MPs and more inquires on funding opportunities to tackle insecurity, decentralization, and rural development. MPs also understand better the strategic role they play. Parliamentarians increasingly attend World Bank country presentations and events, such as knowledge fairs and the launches for new editions of the Madagascar Economic Update. Going forward, parliamentarians will be more included and involved in regional and national consultations held prior to the CPF and during the SCD. 19 EN GAGEMENT WITH PAR LIAM E N TARI A NS NIGERIA Engaging MPs for increased understanding of World Bank operations The World Bank recognizes members of parliament as key stakeholders for effective engagement in Nigeria. Parliamentarian buy-in and approval is critical to the success and delivery of World Bank-financed projects. Strategic engagement with members of parliament early in the project cycle (prior to approval) helps integrate citizen voices in development programs to achieve better results and enhances the World Bank’s country partnership in Nigeria. The World Bank engages MPs in a variety of activities. This not only opens a window of opportunity to build political will and support for the World Bank, but also enlists these critical stakeholders as advocates for the World Bank’s twin goals of eliminating poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Parliamentary workshops and consultations allow the World Bank to share information and receive feedback on programs. This includes briefings for parliamentary aides and committee secretaries to ensure communication is sustained beyond the term limits of elected members of the Senate and House of Representatives. These interactions complement World Bank engagement with local and grassroot constituencies and help to ensure citizen concerns make their way into the Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria. The World Bank also engages MPs through the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF. It facilitates contact with parliamentarians and enables interaction with other parliamentarians on a wider, global scale. Nigerian MPs are active participants in global Parliamentary Network engagements. 20 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs World Bank Vice President for Africa Hafez Ghanem discusses the Bank’s priorities for Africa with civil society representatives during a visit in Nigeria in 2018. © World Bank Results and next steps Engagement has been largely effective and response positive, with members of the Nigerian Parliament eager to deepen their engagement with the World Bank. Consistent dialogue with parliamentarians has influenced policy decisions, such as reforming laws to ease business investments in Nigeria and improve competitiveness. Looking ahead, additional engagement with MPs are being planned, including information sessions on the World Bank portfolio to help MPs better exercise their oversight role and monitor the implementation of World Bank-supported projects. 21 EN GAGEMENT WITH PAR LIAM E N TARI A NS SOUTH AFRICA Enhancing dialogue with MPs through flagship reports The World Bank’s engagement with parliamentarians in South Africa extends from the South Africa Economic Update, the World Bank’s flagship publication on the country’s economic outlook. Each edition focuses on different aspects of the economy that could have an impact on reducing poverty and inequality. The Economic Update is highly publicized and well received by a variety of stakeholders, including the media who cover it widely, policy makers who refer to World Bank analysis, the private sector, academics, and even the President of the Republic of South Africa. Many parliamentary committees tackle the very issues addressed in the report, so outreach is a natural fit. Parliamentarians play a crucial role in South Africa by holding the executive branch of government accountable. They oversee the actions of government to ensure service delivery improves the quality of life for all South Africans. Through the Economic Update, the World Bank offers Parliamentarians highly regarded, evidence-based analysis that can support their oversight role. Launched every nine months or so, the World Bank presents each new edition of the Economic Update to relevant parliamentary committees and other interested MPs. The briefings to the committees are open to the media and general public. Authors present the findings of the report followed by a discussion with the committee members. Parliamentarians, who represent multiple political parties in the economic cluster, are receptive to this engagement—even those who challenge the World Bank on ideological bases. Their feedback indicates that they find the briefings on the macro-economic outlook and the evidence-based analysis instructive ahead of the Minister of Finance’s budget presentation to parliament. They also find the report presents innovative ways to tackle some of the challenges facing the country and sheds light on global best practice. 22 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs Students at the University of Pretoria reach for the future. World Bank analysis examines issues related to higher education and skills development. © University of Pretoria Building on these engagements, the World Bank presented the newly launched SCD to parliament in 2018. This led to a robust discussion and appreciation of the World Bank’s understanding of the country’s most pressing challenges. Entitled An Incomplete Transition: Overcoming the Legacy of Exclusion in South Africa, the SCD is seen as timely in a period of transition in South Africa. Responding to demand by various stakeholders, including the government, the World Bank republished the SCD in book format. Results and next steps World Bank and MP interactions work reciprocally. In addition to ensuring ongoing dialogue with South Africa’s lawmakers, this strategic engagement deepens the World Bank team’s understanding of the country in which they operate. Parliamentarians offer perspectives and insights based on a wealth of experience working with the people of South Africa, the executive branch of government, and leaders of their own political organizations. Parliamentarians, in turn, gain a better understanding of the World Bank in a country where there are limited projects. This engagement will be used to promote outreach when the 2019-2022 Country Partnership Framework for South Africa is launched. 23 EN GAGEMENT WITH PAR LIAM E N TARI A NS ZAMBIA Consulting with MPs to share knowledge and boost oversight In Zambia, the parliament oversees the performance of the executive functions and has established parliamentary committees to focus on specific issues. These committees are mandated to call upon government and non-governmental institutions in the country to discuss various topics. Zambia’s MPs seek consultations and recommendations, and the World Bank readily provides. These interactions provide an opportunity for the World Bank to share its country portfolio and knowledge products and analyses, such as the Zambia Economic Brief, SCD, and CPF, and demonstrate it is a credible source of information. In 2018 alone, the World Bank and MPs participated in three consultations. In a meeting with the parliamentary committee on budget, the World Bank advised on loans to best meet their needs. A second meeting focused on the World Bank’s involvement in Zambia’s water and sanitation agenda to increase access to and improve management of sanitation services. In the third meeting with the parliamentary committee on parastatal bodies, the World Bank advised that state-owned enterprises should have effective boards that operate in a professional and transparent manner and are committed to growing the country’s economy. The recommendation was part of the overarching development objective to increase transparency and accountability in Zambia. Results and next steps As a result of these engagements, parliamentarians have a greater appreciation of the World Bank’s work in Zambia, as evidenced by the number of enquiries and requests for information the World Bank Zambia office receives from MPs. With greater awareness of World Bank activities, accountability also improves. During parliamentary debates, more MPs have requested progress reports from the government on World Bank-funded projects. 24 || STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA: CSOs and MPs World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, Ina Ruthenberg, makes a presentation to members of Zambia’s parliament. © Royd Sibajene / World Bank Going forward, these engagements with MPs will be all the more critical. New legislation requires all loans contracted by the government to be approved by the parliament before being implemented. 25 ACKNOW L E DGE M E N TS This publication is a collective effort of the World Bank Africa Region External and Communications team. These stories about World Bank engagement with key stakeholders— civil society organizations and parliamentarians—would not be possible without the efforts of communications colleagues Kennedy Fosu, Zeria Banda, Rafael Saute, Mademba Ndiaye, Sylvie Nenonene, Sheila Kulubya, Odilia Hebga, Olufunke Olofun, Zandile Ratshitanga, Diana Styvanley, and Carlyn Hambuba. Special thanks to editorial team Selena Batchily, Leslie Ashby, Aby K. Toure, and Elena Queyranne.