## Executive Summary — Mid-term Evaluation of the Enhanced Data Dissemination Initiative (EDDI)

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### Scope, purpose, and methods
- Mid-term evaluation covering April 1, 2010 to September 30, 2012.
- EDDI: five-year project (April 2010–March 2015) implemented by the IMF to improve macroeconomic statistics in 25 African countries; financed by the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID).
- Evaluation conducted internally by the IMF in consultation with DFID using questionnaires and stakeholder consultations.
- Questionnaires sent: 34; responses received: 29 (an 85 percent response rate). Of 18 countries sent at least one questionnaire, 16 sent at least one response (an 89 percent country representation rate).
- Quantitative ratings used a 1–4 scale (1 most negative, 4 most positive).

### Project design and module structure
- Topical modules (7): monetary statistics M1–M3 (three modules), one balance of payments (BOP) module, two national accounts (NA) modules, one government finance statistics (GFS) module.
- Functional modules (4): data dissemination modules SDE, SDS, SDW (East, South, West Africa) and a harmonization module for the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
- Aim: improve coverage, harmonization, and compilation practices consistent with IMF manuals and guides; build capacity for FSIs and regional monetary harmonization.
- EDDI knowledge products: Government Finance Statistics Compilation Guide for Developing Countries published September 14, 2011; BOP guide in process.

### Key quantitative evaluation ratings
- Relevance: 3.8
- Effectiveness: 3.5
- Efficiency: 3.6
- Impact: 3.6
- Sustainability: 3.6
- Overall section average ratings by module ranged between 3.4 to 3.8:
  - Regional organizations: 3.8
  - Monetary statistics: 3.7
  - National accounts: 3.6
  - GFS: 3.5
  - BOP: 3.4

### Main country-level findings
- Relevance
  - High rating (3.8); modules align with national objectives and priorities; many concrete examples provided.
  - Highest-scoring questions included: relevance to the country (3.9) and high quality advice of IMF experts (3.7).
- Effectiveness
  - Lower relative rating (3.5); lower scores for timing of experts’ advice (3.4) and clarity/realism of the work plan (3.3).
  - Frequent country requests:
    - More frequent missions to countries especially in need;
    - More lengthy missions (e.g., 3–4 weeks instead of 2) to countries especially in need;
    - More workshops or training courses to increase capacity to absorb TA (national accounts and GFS);
    - Timing missions when new source data are ready.
  - Budgetary limits and overall project design constrain extensive country-specific resident support.
- Efficiency
  - Overall rating 3.6; project organization rated 3.4; sharing lessons rated 3.7.
  - Additional suggestion: extend TA and training beyond main government agencies to include data reporting institutions.
- Impact
  - No ratings below 3.5; concrete results already achieved and cited across countries.
- Sustainability
  - Average rating 3.6; no ratings of 2 or below.
  - Supporting factors: increased institutional capacity (skills and staff), new systems (databases, methodologies, work processes), increased awareness and demand for data by policy makers, countries’ own efforts (dedicated staff, new departments/divisions, financial support for surveys and training).
  - Common risk: continued availability of budgetary resources to maintain and train staff and to fund surveys and data collection.

### Highlights of key results (first half of project)
- Burundi joined the GDDS on August 9, 2011.
- Mauritius subscribed to the SDDS on February 28, 2012.
- All countries in the BOP module completed private capital flows surveys (PCFS); Ghana began to publish international investment position (IIP) statistics based on PCFS data.
- Ghana, Rwanda, and Uganda published QNA for the first time; Zanzibar released its first QNA.
- Six additional countries began to publish National Summary Data Pages (NSDPs); eight additional countries began to publish Advance Release Calendars (ARCs).
- Provisional GFS central government data compiled for recent years for: Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
- Monetary statistics TA expanded coverage to additional financial institutions in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Uganda.
- Three countries (Mauritius, Seychelles, and Uganda) began to publish FSIs.

### Country examples of institutional change and impact
- Staffing and skills increased in Ghana, Liberia, Namibia, Uganda (national accounts); Sierra Leone (monetary); Mozambique and Rwanda (GFS); The Gambia and Uganda (BOP).
- Improved inter-department collaboration: Botswana central bank Research Department working more closely with Bank Supervision Department.
- Institutional organization: Nigeria established External Sector Statistics Division with an earmarked budget for surveys; Mozambique set up a new Department of Statistics in the finance ministry.
- Examples of statistical impacts:
  - Ghana: QNA used by Ministry of Finance and Central Bank for short-term monitoring.
  - Sierra Leone: GDP rebased; PPI ready to be published; improved CPI.
  - Liberia: post-war national accounts survey analyzed and new GDP estimates linked to updated benchmark figures for 2008.
  - Rwanda: reduced reliance on proxy indicators through better survey use.
  - Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda: Work in Progress method improved agriculture statistics.
  - The Gambia: migrated from 1968 SNA to 1993 SNA; new estimates accepted.

### Sustainability, commitment, and risks
- Sustainability supported by:
  - Increased staff skills and numbers (examples: Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda for national accounts; Lesotho, Namibia, Sierra Leone for monetary statistics).
  - New systems and databases (Namibia monetary databases; Rwanda national accounts; Swaziland monetary databases).
  - New procedures and monitoring (Nigeria instituted transmission mechanisms and timelines for data releases; Kenya developed quarterly monitoring systems).
- Demonstrated country commitment:
  - Use of own resources for training and surveys: Uganda, Zanzibar, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana.
  - Institutional changes to implement recommendations (new teams, focal persons).
- Main sustainability risk: ongoing funding to maintain staff, training, and surveys (cited by Tanzania, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Ghana, The Gambia).

### IMF module managers' midterm assessment and planned second-half focus
- Fifteen IMF module managers and experts participated in the assessment.
- All modules broadly on track; five modules ahead of schedule at mid-point: QNA, FSIs, BOP, data dissemination, and GFS manual/guide work.
- Module-specific second-half focus and adjustments:
  - Monetary statistics: continue workshops/missions; two EAC workshops agreed methodological framework; SADC harmonization begun.
  - FSIs: continued assistance to countries publishing FSIs.
  - BOP: integrate survey data into IIP and BOP; assist countries to set up funding mechanisms; address database issues in The Gambia and Nigeria; increase survey frequency from annual to quarterly where feasible.
  - Annual national accounts (QNA): special training course planned for The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone; occasional longer missions for countries with severe data problems (e.g., Liberia received a three-month IMF-funded expert).
  - GFS: expand coverage to extra budgetary units and local governments; refine estimates; follow-up missions planned.
  - Data dissemination: continue NSDPs and ARCs; assist Burundi, South Sudan, and SDDS candidates where feasible.
  - SACU: focus narrowed to national accounts; planned study on harmonization implications.
- Design and delivery: module delivery approach (opening workshop + country missions + targeted workshops) found effective; minor adjustments made for countries requiring more intensive assistance.

### DFID advisors' feedback and donor coordination
- DFID responses: relevance rated high by 100 percent; IMF experts’ quality of advice rated high by 100 percent; timeliness rated timely by 80 percent.
- Communication gaps noted: better communication/collaboration by IMF experts with local stakeholders and donors between missions desired.
- Recommended operational follow-up:
  - More IMF experts to meet with DFID country advisors and other donors while on missions;
  - DFID advisors to assist in organizing meetings with significant donors/stakeholders.
- Complementary funding:
  - Repeated request for complementary funding to support surveys and database development; IMF does not usually provide this, so collaboration with donors (World Bank, MEFMI, British Crown Agents) and host governments is emphasized.
- In-country IMF advisors:
  - If a country requests an in-country IMF advisor, it should make a formal request; IMF may fund a limited number depending on funds; regional TA centers (AFRITAC East, AFRITAC South, planned AFRITAC West) are alternatives.

### Cross-cutting conclusions and recommended adjustments for second half
- Overall assessment: positive progress consistent with annual project milestones; significant concrete impacts already achieved.
- No major redesign required; adjustments to be made case-by-case.
- Implementation priorities:
  - Maintain momentum through active IMF and DFID project management.
  - Reallocate some EDDI resources where necessary to support needier and less developed participants; potential sources include reduced needs from successful participants and increased collaboration with other funding sources.
  - Continue more intensive assistance to countries with greater needs while pursuing stronger engagement with high-level national management and other donors to secure complementary funding and sustain results.

### Consolidated operational recommendations (as stated in source)
- More frequent missions to countries especially in need;
- More lengthy missions (e.g., 3–4 weeks instead of 2) to countries especially in need;
- More workshops or training courses to increase capacity to absorb TA (national accounts and GFS);
- Timing missions when new source data are ready;
- Extend EDDI’s TA and training beyond the main government agencies to include data reporting institutions;
- Sensitize high-level management of the main statistical agencies (statistical offices, central banks, and finance ministries) on the importance of continued funding for implementation of the project (via IMF African Department missions, high-level Washington meetings, and senior IMF Statistics Department communications as needed);
- Improve in-mission communication and coordination with DFID country advisors and other donors engaged in related work; DFID advisors to assist in organizing such meetings where possible.

*Prepared by the IMF Statistics Department in consultation with DFID (mid-term evaluation covering April 1, 2010–September 30, 2012).*

### Executive Summary ......................................................................................................

### Executive Summary

### Scope and purpose
- Mid-term evaluation of the Enhanced Data Dissemination Initiative (EDDI) financed by the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) covering the period April 1, 2010 to September 30, 2012.
- EDDI is a five-year project (April 2010–March 2015) implemented by the IMF to improve macroeconomic statistics in 25 African countries.
- Evaluation conducted internally by the IMF in consultation with DFID using questionnaires and stakeholder consultations.

### Project design and modules
- Modular approach: seven topical modules (three monetary statistics modules M1–M3, one balance of payments (BOP) module, two national accounts (NA) modules, one government finance statistics (GFS) module) and four functional modules (three data dissemination modules SDE, SDS, SDW for East, South, and West Africa; one harmonization module for the Southern African Customs Union (SA)).
- Aim: improve coverage, harmonization, and compilation practices consistent with IMF manuals and guides; build capacity for FSIs and regional monetary harmonization.

### Participation and engagement
- Questionnaires: 34 sent to country counterparts; response rate of 85 percent.
- 89 percent of participating countries sent at least one response.
- Quantitative ratings used a 1–4 scale (1 most negative, 4 most positive).

### Key evaluation ratings (quantitative)
- Relevance: 3.8
- Effectiveness: 3.5
- Efficiency: 3.6
- Impact: 3.6
- Sustainability: 3.6

### Main findings from country counterparts
- Relevance
  - High rating (3.8); no recommendations for changes — EDDI modules align with national objectives and priorities.
  - Many concrete examples of relevance provided by countries.
- Effectiveness
  - Lower relative rating (3.5) with most suggestions focused on increasing project flexibility for needier countries, especially in national accounts.
  - Specific requests included:
    - More frequent missions to countries especially in need.
    - More lengthy missions (e.g., 3–4 weeks instead of 2) to countries especially in need.
    - More workshops or training courses to increase capacity to absorb TA (national accounts and GFS).
    - Timing missions when new source data are ready.
  - Some countries suggested internal improvements to increase accountability for implementing work plans.
  - Budgetary limits and overall project design constrain responses to requests for extensive country-specific resident support.
- Efficiency
  - Overall positive; countries reiterating the effectiveness-related suggestions were the main source of efficiency-related improvement proposals.
  - Additional suggestion from two countries:
    - Extend EDDI’s TA and training beyond the main government agencies to include data reporting institutions.
- Impact
  - No ratings below 3.5; respondents cited multiple concrete results already achieved.
  - No suggestions for changes to impact-related elements.
- Sustainability
  - No ratings of 2 or below; respondents agreed or strongly agreed that results would be sustainable.
  - Factors supporting sustainability: increased institutional capacity (skills and staff), new systems (databases, methodologies, work processes), increased awareness and demand for data by policy makers, and countries’ own efforts (dedicated staff, new departments/divisions, financial support for surveys and training).
  - Commonly cited risk to sustainability: continued availability of budgetary resources to maintain and train staff and to fund surveys and data collection.

### Feedback from IMF module managers and experts
- General consistency with country feedback: good progress in first half and support for continuing adjustments.
- Identified constraints impeding progress in some countries: inadequate human resources and budgetary support.
- Recommended follow-up actions:
  - Sensitize high-level management of main statistical agencies (statistical offices, central banks, and finance ministries) on the importance of continued funding for implementation of the project. Suggested channels:
    - IMF African Department missions to countries.
    - High-level meetings in Washington at the annual and spring meetings.
    - Communications by senior IMF Statistics Department staff as needed with particular countries.

### Feedback from DFID regional and country advisors
- Consistent with other stakeholders on positive progress and concrete results.
- Relevance rated as high by 100 percent of responses.
- IMF experts’ quality of advice rated as high by 100 percent of responses.
- Timeliness of IMF advice rated as timely by 80 percent of responses.
- Main concerns / suggestions:
  - Better communication/collaboration by IMF experts with local stakeholders between missions.
  - Lengthier missions to certain countries in need to maintain relevance and organize support for complementary funding.
- Recommended operational follow-up:
  - More IMF experts will meet with DFID country advisors while on missions, and with other donors engaged in related work. DFID advisors will, where possible, assist in organizing meetings with significant other donors/stakeholders.

### Cross-cutting conclusions and recommended adjustments
- Overall assessment: positive progress consistent with annual project milestones; significant concrete impacts and results already achieved.
- No major re-design required; a number of concerns will be followed up and adjustments made as needed on a case-by-case basis.
- Implementation priorities for the second half:
  - Maintain positive momentum through active IMF and DFID project management.
  - Reallocate some EDDI resources where necessary to support needier and less developed participants; potential sources of reallocation include reduced needs from successful participants and increased collaboration with other funding sources.
  - Continue more intensive assistance to countries with greater needs while pursuing stronger engagement with high-level national management and other donors to secure complementary funding and sustain results.

*Prepared by the IMF Statistics Department in consultation with DFID (mid-term evaluation covering April 1, 2010–September 30, 2012).*

### 5.      The BOP statistics module is assisting participating countries to develop and improve

### 5.      The BOP statistics module is assisting participating countries to develop and improve

### Overview of EDDI modules and objectives
- BOP statistics module
  - Assists participating countries to develop and improve surveys used to gather data on private capital flows and stocks for use in producing international investment position (IIP) statistics.
  - Motivated by the growing importance of IIP statistics for many African countries.
- National accounts modules
  - First national accounts module: focus on improving annual national accounts in three West African countries.
  - Second national accounts module: focus on helping a group of relatively more advanced countries to produce quarterly national accounts (QNA). QNA module implemented jointly with AFRITAC East.
  - QNA greatly increases the ability of policy makers to monitor developments in the economy.
- Government Finance Statistics (GFS) module
  - Main objective: improve compilation and dissemination of GFS statistics within a group of countries in east Africa, consistent with the IMF Government Finance Statistics Manual 2001.
- Data dissemination modules (eastern, southern, western Africa)
  - Include all project countries.
  - Focus on assisting two countries (Burundi and South Sudan) to join the GDDS, and assist a small group of relatively advanced countries to reach the stage where they can subscribe to SDDS.
  - Help countries begin to produce and publish national summary data pages (NSDPs) and advance release calendars (ARCs).
- SACU module
  - Assists the SACU and its member countries to harmonize their statistical treatment of SACU transactions.
  - Implemented jointly with AFRITAC South.
- EDDI knowledge products
  - Supports production of manuals and guides specifically designed to address statistical compilation issues faced by developing countries.
  - A GFS guide has already been produced; a BOP guide is in process.

### Highlights of key results achieved in the first half of the project (Box 1)
- Burundi joined the GDDS on August 9, 2011, following the satisfaction of all requirements.
- Mauritius subscribed to the SDDS on February 28, 2012, following a successful BOP mission that verified it had satisfied the last remaining requirement regarding coverage of offshore enterprises.
- All countries in the BOP statistics module completed private capital flows surveys (PCFS) and have begun to analyze and incorporate results.
- Ghana has begun to publish international investment position (IIP) statistics for the first time based on PCFS data.
- Ghana, Rwanda, and Uganda published for the first time QNA, and Zanzibar also released its first QNA.
- Six additional countries have begun to publish National Summary Data Pages and eight additional countries have begun to publish Advance Release Calendars.
- Following the preparation of institutional tables and bridge tables, provisional GFS data for central government according to the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2001 were compiled for recent years for Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
- The Government Finance Statistics Compilation Guide for Developing Countries was published on September 14, 2011.
- Monetary statistics TA focused on expanding coverage to:
  - leasing and mortgage companies in Botswana,
  - savings and loan companies, rural banks, and finance houses in Ghana,
  - money market unit trusts and microfinance institutions in Kenya,
  - financial cooperatives and collective investment schemes in Lesotho,
  - savings and credit cooperatives and money market funds in Swaziland,
  - savings and credit cooperatives in Uganda.
- Three additional countries (Mauritius, Seychelles, and Uganda) have begun to publish FSIs.

### Feedback from stakeholders — survey implementation and response rates
- Questionnaires sent to 18 countries and two regional organizations that participated actively in the first half of EDDI.
  - Some countries not sent questionnaires due to little or no activity (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, and Zambia).
  - Some countries participated in more than one module and received more than one questionnaire.
- Total questionnaires sent: 34.
- Responses received: 29 (an 85 percent response rate).
- Of the 18 countries sent one or more questionnaires, 16 sent at least one response (an 89 percent country representation rate).
- Module response coverage:
  - National accounts (including QNA): 11 out of 11 responses.
  - BOP: 5 out of 6 responses.
  - Monetary statistics: 7 out of 10 responses.
  - GFS: 4 out of 6 responses.
  - Regional organizations: 2 out of 2 responses.

### Questionnaire structure and average ratings (Table 2)
- Questionnaire sections: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.
- Rating scale: 1 = I strongly disagree, 2 = I disagree, 3 = I agree, 4 = I strongly agree, na = not applicable to me.
- Overall section average ratings:
  - Relevance: 3.8
    - The project is relevant to my country: 3.9
    - The project’s objectives are consistent with my agency’s priority needs: 3.7
  - Effectiveness: 3.5
    - IMF experts have provided high quality advice: 3.7
    - IMF experts have provided advice at the right time: 3.4
    - IMF experts have provided advice in a way that is easily understood: 3.6
    - The work plan is clear and realistic: 3.3
  - Efficiency: 3.6
    - The project is well organized: 3.4
    - Sharing lessons with other module countries is helpful: 3.7
  - Impact: 3.6
    - Positive results are already being achieved: 3.6
  - Sustainability: 3.6
    - The results of the project will be sustainable: 3.6
- Average ratings by module ranged between 3.4 to 3.8:
  - Regional organizations: 3.8
  - Monetary statistics: 3.7
  - National accounts: 3.6
  - GFS: 3.5
  - BOP: 3.4
- Highest-scoring questions:
  - Relevance to the country: 3.9
  - Consistency with agency’s priority needs: 3.7
  - High quality advice of IMF experts: 3.7
  - Helpfulness of sharing lessons with other countries: 3.7
  - IMF experts providing advice that is easily understood, positive results already being achieved, and sustainability of results: 3.6
- Low and notable ratings:
  - Four 2 ratings in total: three for national accounts and one for regional organizations; no 1 ratings.
  - Lower scores related to timing of experts’ advice and clarity/realism of the work plan.

### Qualitative feedback and themes from respondents
- Relevance
  - Verbal responses overwhelmingly positive; emphasis on importance of EDDI objectives for improving policy making and alignment with national strategies and plans.
  - National accounts examples:
    - Sierra Leone: three objectives in National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) achieved by EDDI (rebasing national accounts, improved CPI, and a new PPI).
    - Rwanda: QNA provides “indicators that are very important not only for monitoring the economy but also for economic policy and decision making.”
    - Ghana: first publishing of QNA described as “a fulfillment of our institutional objective,” data “in great demand by policy makers, especially the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Bank of Ghana, as well as researchers.”
    - Zanzibar: Office of the Chief Government Statistician produces its own national accounts; released first QNA.
  - Monetary statistics: Sierra Leone said EDDI “fits perfectly well the institution’s objective of achieving and maintaining price stability,” a prerequisite for proper monetary policy reporting.
  - Regional relevance: Kenya mentioned relevance to EAC objective of harmonization of statistics.
  - BOP: Nigeria emphasized support for objectives of Vision 20 2020; Mauritius noted timing was right for moving from indirect to direct collection of BOP data; Mozambique highlighted expanding coverage and improving accuracy and timeliness.
- Effectiveness
  - Effectiveness average rating 3.5 (lowest of five sections).
  - Lower scores for timeliness of experts’ advice (3.4) and clarity/realism of the work plan (3.3).
  - Requests from countries for more frequent or longer missions, more frequent training and workshops.
  - Specific issues:
    - Nigeria: lengthy interruption of TA due to security problems; suggested longer missions of 3 to 4 weeks.
    - Liberia: greatest need in national accounts; IMF funded a 3-month expert outside EDDI terms to achieve progress; real progress achieved and Liberia expected to produce more complete and reliable GDP estimates.
    - Concern that harmonization of monetary statistics may not be achieved by project end; request for follow-up individual missions (not budgeted under EDDI).
  - Planned adjustments:
    - IMF planning a training course in spring of 2013 for The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
    - Occasional three-week missions used where needed.
  - Content suggestions:
    - More demonstrations with actual country data in national accounts.
    - More practical tools in GFS (contrasted by another GFS country praising provided tools and templates).
  - Suggestions for country-internal adjustments:
    - Designate particular people responsible for following up on recommendations.
    - Mandatory regular progress reports on implementation of EDDI TA.
- Efficiency
  - Average rating 3.6; organization of project 3.4, sharing lessons 3.7.
  - Some respondents requested greater frequency and length of missions.
  - Suggestions to extend TA and training beyond main government agencies to data reporting institutions and other financial institutions (e.g., Botswana recommended training beyond the central bank; Nigeria recommended a “team approach” including reporting institutions). Planned follow-up actions noted.
- Impact
  - Average rating 3.6; all responding countries reported concrete results.
  - Examples of impact:
    - Ghana: QNA is “a major input in analyzing short-term performance of the economy by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Central Bank of Ghana.”
    - Sierra Leone: GDP rebased; PPI ready to be published for the first time; improved CPI.
    - Liberia: first post-war national accounts survey analyzed; new GDP estimates linked to updated benchmark figures for 2008.
    - Rwanda: better use of survey data reduced reliance on proxy indicators such as population growth.
    - Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda: Work in Progress method significantly improved agriculture statistics.
    - The Gambia: migrated from 1968 SNA to 1993 SNA; new estimates widely accepted by users.
    - Zanzibar: assistance improved CPI.

*Source: Excerpt from EDDI project mid-term report content unit titled "The BOP statistics module is assisting participating countries to develop and improve" contained in the provided PDF chapter.*

### 31.      A number of countries reported significant improvement in the coverage of monetary

### _032013 - 31.      A number of countries reported significant improvement in the coverage of monetary

### Improvements in statistical coverage and compilation
- Monetary statistics:
  - Significant improvement in coverage reported by Lesotho, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and Uganda to include some important additional depository and other financial institutions.
  - Kenya and Swaziland noted improved classification of monetary statistics.
  - Botswana reported better data collection instruments adopted and the good results of training provided to data reporting institutions.
  - GFS module results not yet widely apparent in published statistics, except Mozambique reported publication on the ministry’s website of new GFS data.
- Balance of Payments (BOP) module:
  - Ghana noted “tremendous improvement in our BOP statistics compilation, especially in the coverage and reporting on the financial account.”
  - Nigeria, Mozambique, and Mauritius commented on the value of surveys conducted and expansion of BOP coverage.
  - Nigeria also mentioned improved classification and interagency collaboration.
  - The Gambia noted improved compilation methodology and BOP statistics.
- Regional harmonization:
  - EAC and SACU both commended agreement by membership on the way forward to improve harmonization and agreed work plans now underway.

### Most important changes in agencies resulting from the project
- Staffing and skills:
  - Increase in skills and numbers of compilation and management staff cited for: Ghana, Liberia, Namibia, and Uganda (national accounts); Sierra Leone (monetary statistics); Mozambique and Rwanda (GFS); The Gambia and Uganda (BOP).
- Communication and collaboration:
  - Improved communication and interaction with data providers in Kenya (national accounts).
  - Botswana: central bank Research Department now working more closely with Bank Supervision Department to increase coverage and quality of data reported by financial institutions.
- Institutional awareness and ambition:
  - Nigeria (national accounts): increased awareness of what needs to be done to improve statistics.
  - Rwanda: central bank more aware of the policy value of GFS data; demand for GFS data has increased.
  - Mauritius: “We have become more ambitious. Since we have gathered expertise on survey design, we are now thinking of leapfrogging to try to develop a web-based survey form linked with in-house data management software to process the data.”
- Institutional organization and quality processes:
  - Nigeria (BOP): “better organized groups for the task management and management support.”
  - Rwanda (national accounts): now doing regular quality assessments of QNA and monitoring of the project work plan.
- Note:
  - Some country responses described substantive results rather than internal agency changes; these were reported under the earlier question to avoid confusion.

### Sustainability of improvements
- Average sustainability rating: 3.6.
  - No ratings of 2 or below; all responding countries either agreed or agreed strongly that results would be sustainable.
- Factors supporting sustainability:
  - Increased institutional capacity: skills and numbers of staff.
  - New systems being put in place: databases, methodologies, and work processes becoming standard operating procedures.
  - Country-specific mentions of staff skills importance:
    - National accounts: Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
    - Monetary statistics: Lesotho, Namibia, and Sierra Leone.
  - New systems referenced:
    - Namibia (monetary databases), Rwanda (national accounts), Swaziland (monetary databases).
    - Kenya (GFS) and Mozambique (GFS) described adopting “best practices.”
  - New working processes and procedures:
    - Nigeria (national accounts): “We have instituted transmission mechanisms to ensure that knowledge is transferred to other staff in the division.”
    - Nigeria (BOP): “most of the processes being established will become routine and budget lines provided to fund them. Time lines for data releases have been established.”
    - Kenya (national accounts): “developed quarterly monitoring systems” to maintain higher quality data.
    - Uganda (national accounts): new working methods cited as main reason why results will be sustainable.
    - Namibia (national accounts): value of TA reports as continuing reference for new staff.
    - SACU: emphasized the importance of the database established for member countries to enable maintenance at regional level of statistical harmonization achieved.
  - Increased demand from policymakers and agency management cited by Kenya (national accounts) and Rwanda (GFS) as ensuring sustainability.
- Risks to sustainability cited:
  - Continued resources required to maintain and train staff: Tanzania (national accounts); Lesotho and Sierra Leone (monetary); Ghana (BOP).
  - Continued resources for data collection: The Gambia (national accounts).
  - Ghana (BOP): sustainability depends on continued resources for the enterprise survey adopted as a result of the project.
  - Botswana (monetary statistics): emphasized importance of data providers’ understanding and awareness to provide data to the central bank.

### Commitment and ownership by organizations
- Demonstrated commitment:
  - Commitment of necessary staff: The Gambia, Namibia, and Uganda (national accounts); Namibia (monetary statistics); Kenya and Rwanda (GFS).
  - Some countries increased staff responding to expert recommendations: Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania (national accounts); Swaziland and Uganda (monetary statistics).
  - Use of own resources to support training: Uganda and Zanzibar (national accounts); Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, and Swaziland (monetary statistics); Mozambique (GFS); Nigeria (BOP).
- Institutional changes made:
  - New departments/divisions/work groups:
    - Mozambique (GFS): finance ministry set up a new Department of Statistics.
    - Nigeria (BOP): central bank established the External Sector Statistics Division with an earmarked budget for surveys.
    - Rwanda (BOP): “focal persons appointed to work on GFS.”
    - Kenya (GFS): “a team of staff from all the relevant departments has been set up to implement the recommendations of the project.”
- Broader resourcing commitments:
  - Ghana (national accounts): Economic Statistics Division now highest priority in Ghana Statistical Service and well equipped to support project demands.
  - Nigeria (national accounts): devoted substantial resources for the Macroeconomic Department.
  - Ghana and The Gambia (BOP): budget support for surveys.
  - Mozambique (BOP): project included in central bank’s action plan.
  - Mauritius (BOP): using own resources to develop in-house software to enhance efficiency of processing survey data resulting from the project.
- Regional organizations:
  - EAC: seeking funding for a one-year expert to follow up on implementation of the project’s action plan.
  - SACU: project activities included in work plan with performance contracts.
- Shortfall:
  - One country in monetary statistics admitted it has not yet demonstrated adequate commitment, having not followed recommendation to increase staff.

### Other comments and requests
- Common requests:
  - More training or workshops, especially in national accounts.
  - More follow-up missions or workshops (EAC and SACU).
- Expressions of appreciation:
  - Several countries expressed appreciation for the individual expert providing assistance during the first half of the project.

### IMF module managers and experts — midterm assessment and recommendations
- Respondent coverage:
  - Fifteen IMF module managers and experts completed the questionnaire or were interviewed.
- Project schedule status:
  - All modules broadly on track; five modules said to be ahead of schedule at mid-point.
  - Modules ahead of schedule: QNA, FSIs, BOP, data dissemination, and the GFS module for manuals and guides.
    - Reasons: more countries producing/publishing new statistics (QNA and FSI) or producing new source data (cross-border enterprise surveys for BOP); GFS compilation guide for developing countries published earlier than expected and draft for a second manual (BOP) completed; more countries producing NSDPs and ARCs, Burundi joined GDDS, Mauritius subscribed to SDDS.
- Main areas of progress and second-half focus by module:
  - Monetary statistics:
    - Workshops and missions helped set up new reporting systems, expand coverage, and train staff in central banks and reporting institutions.
    - Some countries already producing preliminary expanded data.
    - Monetary harmonization: two workshops to EAC agreed on a methodological framework; a similar 2012 workshop began work on monetary harmonization for SADC countries.
    - No major adjustments needed.
  - FSIs:
    - Three countries begun to produce and publish FSIs: Mauritius, Seychelles, and Uganda.
    - Continued assistance planned in second half.
  - BOP statistics:
    - All six countries have begun cross-border enterprise surveys to provide source data for IIP and improved BOP statistics.
    - Three countries (Ghana, Mauritius, and Mozambique) set up regular funding mechanisms for surveys.
    - Second-half focus: integrate survey data into IIP and BOP; assist remaining three countries to set up funding mechanisms; address database issues (The Gambia and Nigeria); increase survey frequency from annual to quarterly.
    - To assist The Gambia and Nigeria with database issues, IMF facilitated study visits with Ghana; central banks of The Gambia and Nigeria agreed to fund study visits.
    - Additional needs: enforce reporting requirements by parastatals and foreign trade zones in one country; high level sensitization for new leadership in another country.
  - Annual national accounts (QNA):
    - Sierra Leone: conducted household and enterprise surveys; TA assisting to produce and publish PPI and improved CPI expected to be released by end of 2012.
    - Liberia: serious problems with source data; IMF funded an intensive three-month mission which succeeded; Liberia expected to soon begin producing more reliable GDP estimates.
    - The Gambia: similar problems to Liberia; new staff hired and new source data from a VAT expected in 2013; an EDDI mission will assess situation in 2013 to decide strategy.
  - GFS:
    - All countries produced institutional tables, used bridge tables to convert national data to GFS classifications, and produced preliminary data.
    - Mozambique and Zimbabwe made most progress (two missions each).
    - Second missions to Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda delayed by budget workload but expected in next six months.
    - Second-half focus: expand basic GFS coverage to extra budgetary accounts, social security, and local governments; refine GFS estimates.
  - Data dissemination:
    - NSDPs and ARCs ahead of schedule; participation in GDDS objective on schedule with Burundi joining.
    - South Sudan substituted for Eritrea as second country to assist to join before end of project; mission expected in March 2013.
    - SDDS progress: Mauritius subscribed; further SDDS subscriptions at risk because other prospective countries have yet to take necessary actions including agreeing to required transparency.
  - SACU module:
    - Second workshop narrowed focus to national accounts.
    - Planned study to provide better information to SACU governments on impact of statistical harmonization on GDP statistics to inform participation decisions.
- Effectiveness of project design and adjustments:
  - Overall design working well; based on experience from GDDS Phase II.
  - Module delivery approach (opening workshop followed by individual country missions, plus targeted workshops) found effective for topical modules (national accounts, BOP, monetary statistics, and GFS).
  - Workshop-reliant modules (monetary harmonization, FSI, data dissemination, and SACU) also found design overall effective.
  - Minor adjustments made or planned:
    - Liberia required more intensive assistance than standard two-week missions; IMF funded a three-month expert.
    - The Gambia may require a similar intensive approach in second half for national accounts.
    - BOP module added study visits for The Gambia and Nigeria to learn from Bank of Ghana database management system.
    - FSI and data dissemination modules increased follow-up by email to encourage use of workshop training for producing FSI statistics and NSDPs and ARCs.

*Italic: Source — Excerpt from IMF project midterm report (EDDI) chapters summarizing country and IMF expert responses.*

### 60.      For QNA, a comment was made that greater high level sensitization at the beginning

### _032013 - 60.      For QNA, a comment was made that greater high level sensitization at the beginning

### QNA high-level sensitization and ownership
- Observation: Greater high level sensitization at the beginning of the project might have helped develop greater ownership by some countries (Kenya and Tanzania). (Paragraph 60)
- Comparative practice: The BOP module experienced similar issues in the previous GDDS project and started EDDI with initial missions to each country to obtain high level buy-in; opening workshop and work plans followed these missions. (Paragraph 60)
- Judgment: The QNA module became one of the most successful modules, so it is not clear that initial missions would have made the critical difference for Kenya and Tanzania. (Paragraph 60)
- Recommendation implied: For future projects, consider starting modules with initial missions to obtain ownership and commitment at a high level. (Paragraph 60)

### Choice of module countries — appropriateness and adjustments
- Finding: Overall, choice of countries in modules has worked out well; a few countries were dropped for lack of interest/commitment and other more enthusiastic countries were added. (Paragraph 61)
- Specific country changes:
  - QNA: Rwanda requested and was accepted as the seventh country in that module. (Paragraph 61)
  - GFS: Tanzania dropped out; Zimbabwe requested to join and has done well so far. (Paragraph 61)
  - Monetary statistics: Ethiopia dropped out. (Paragraph 61)
  - Data dissemination: South Sudan has joined and will be assisted to join GDDS in the second half of EDDI. (Paragraph 61)
- Basis for selection: Countries originally expressed interest and exhibited need; QNA and FSI required relatively statistically advanced countries; some modules selected by region or regional organizations (annual national accounts, monetary harmonization, GFS, and SACU). (Paragraph 62)
- Flexibility: In the second half of the project, if a few countries reach objectives early, other countries may be able to join modules of interest. (Paragraph 63)

### Choice of experts and IMF staff — performance and balance
- Overall assessment: Choice of experts and IMF staff worked well; experts were experienced, chosen from the IMF STA Panel of Experts; staff were senior staff and economists in relevant topical divisions. (Paragraph 64)
- Typical roles: Experts conduct missions; staff backstop work, monitor quality, and update methodology. (Paragraph 64)
- Stability valued: Stability of experts working on particular countries is highly valued by countries; continuity facilitates rapport and ongoing support. (Paragraph 64)
- Adjustments and exceptions:
  - Some staff/expert changes occurred for transfers or preferences. (Paragraph 64)
  - BOP module: early-year redundancy in backstopping by module manager and IMF staff was resolved. (Paragraph 64)
  - Two modules (FSI and data dissemination) used exclusively staff so far due to availability and interests. (Paragraph 64)

### Administration of project — functionality and issues
- General finding: Administration of the project has gone smoothly; respondents experienced little or no problems, aided by established procedures from the previous DFID-financed project. (Paragraph 65)
- Positive features: Flexibility in administration to adjust to changing needs and circumstances. (Paragraph 65)
- Issues noted and resolution:
  - Temporary budget tightness at start of second year caused some delays; DFID’s flexibility to bring forward a disbursement resolved these. (Paragraph 65)
  - At times experts were not informed timely about procedural changes; this was addressed and no recent issues reported. (Paragraph 65)

### Most difficult country issues — constraints to progress
- Most frequently mentioned issues:
  - Inadequate human resources (both numbers and skills). (Paragraph 66)
  - Lack of commitment/ownership. (Paragraph 66)
- Funding constraints: Lack of adequate funding for hiring staff, purchasing equipment/software, and conducting surveys. (Paragraph 66)
- Security delays: Mentioned for one country in BOP and QNA modules. (Paragraph 66)
- Scheduling delays: Delays in agreeing mission schedules mentioned for several GFS countries; political will important in data dissemination and SACU modules. (Paragraph 66)
- Variability in causes:
  - Competing work pressures (e.g., budget preparation) delayed mission scheduling in several GFS countries. (Paragraph 67)
  - West African countries showed high commitment but lacked resources to hire more staff; often requested more TA missions than project could afford. (Paragraph 67)
  - In some cases staff lacked capacity and required more intensive hands-on training than EDDI could provide. (Paragraph 68)
- Module-specific observations:
  - National accounts module will conduct a special training course for three West African countries in early 2013 and may request IMF-funded longer mission to The Gambia similar to one sent to Liberia earlier in the year. (Paragraph 68)
  - Central-bank-linked modules (monetary statistics and BOP) tended to fare better in staff and funding than finance ministries and statistical offices. (Paragraph 69)
  - Data dissemination and SACU modules identified political will (especially for transparency and harmonization) as principal obstacles; final requirements often touch sensitive areas (international reserves, offshore accounts) or require acceptance of modifications to national statistics. (Paragraph 70)

### Need for IMF adjustments
- Actions taken or planned:
  - National accounts expert for Nigeria is being changed for the second half of the project. (Paragraph 71)
  - QNA module may add new countries if existing ones reach objectives early. (Paragraph 71)
- Requests/suggestions:
  - Continued flexibility for under-resourced West African countries regarding TA type (longer missions, more training). (Paragraph 71)
  - Flexibility to change objectives to address rebasing of national accounts in Nigeria and Namibia, and serious BOP database issues in The Gambia and Nigeria. (Paragraph 71)
  - GFS module indicated probable need for a training course in 2013. (Paragraph 71)
  - Some high level sensitization suggested by BOP and national accounts modules, possibly at IMF/World Bank annual and spring meetings. (Paragraph 71)

### External factors aiding module success
- Donor and regional collaboration: Collaboration with other donors and regional organizations on database and source data work complemented IMF TA on compilation, methodology, and dissemination. Success often required both types of TA. (Paragraph 72)
- Examples of collaboration:
  - National accounts: World Bank in The Gambia and Liberia; Statistics Denmark in Tanzania; UNDP in Rwanda. (Paragraph 72)
  - DFID/World Bank country advisors: Valuable communications in Ghana and Nigeria on national accounts and BOP; DFID advisor in Nigeria aided on security issues to restore EDDI activities after disruptions. (Paragraph 72)
  - QNA: Collaboration between IMF headquarters TA and AFRITAC East TA was critical. (Paragraph 73)
  - BOP in Kenya: Consultations with DFID/World Bank advisor on survey funding/timing; collaboration with MEFMI on database issues. (Paragraph 73)
  - GFS in Zimbabwe: Frequent contact with British Crown Agents on computer system and database. (Paragraph 73)
  - Monetary statistics harmonization: Dependent on collaboration with EAC and SADC. (Paragraph 73)
  - SACU: Progress facilitated by the SACU secretariat and AFRITAC South assistance. (Paragraph 73)

### DFID regional and country advisors — communication, relevance, concerns
- Survey response rate: 90 percent; all country advisors responded; one regional advisor did not respond but senior statistical advisor for same region did, ensuring comprehensive coverage. (Paragraph 74)
- Communication:
  - 89 percent of responses said the DFID project manager kept them well informed of EDDI activities. (Paragraph 75)
  - 22 percent said they were kept well informed by IMF experts. (Paragraph 75)
  - 56 percent said they had contact or involvement with IMF experts or knowledge of their work in their countries. (Paragraph 75)
  - South Sudan advisor was the only one reporting insufficient information; EDDI activities in South Sudan are scheduled to begin in March 2013 with a GDDS mission and planned GDDS joining in the second half of 2013. (Paragraph 76)
  - Explanation: Many IMF missions work with ministries of finance or central banks rather than national statistical offices where DFID advisors typically focus; as a result, most IMF contacts with DFID advisors are QNA-related. IMF and DFID project managers will encourage more contact with IMF experts working with ministries of finance and central banks where there is interest. (Paragraph 77)
- Relevance:
  - All responses affirmed EDDI project relevance across national statistical offices, central banks, finance ministries, or wider statistical systems. (Paragraph 78)
  - Examples: Kenya (BOP improvements, business register module, EAC monetary statistics harmonization); Ghana and Rwanda (importance to publishing QNA for the first time). (Paragraph 78)
  - Concern: Maintaining relevance and high priority between missions can be difficult; suggestion to use local IMF representative to sustain awareness and relevance. (Paragraph 79)
  - Caution: Excessive “hand holding” by resident experts can lead to dependence and lack of sustainable capacity building; module approach with standard two-week missions has worked well in many countries. (Paragraph 79)
- Concerns and suggestions:
  - Missions seen as “too short to get real traction” in some cases; momentum can be lost without sustained follow up. Standard model: series of sustained standard two-week missions with intervals between missions typically between 6 and 9 months, depending on implementation speed. (Paragraph 80)
  - For under-resourced countries, may be necessary to lengthen missions or provide additional training; IMF is following up with additional training and occasional longer missions. (Paragraph 80)
  - Lack of complementary funding for TA (e.g., funding for surveys and database development) is a constraint; IMF/EDDI budget does not provide this funding and must depend on collaboration with donors such as the World Bank. (Paragraph 81)
  - Examples of complementary funding and collaboration: World Bank and West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management support for surveys in West Africa; MEFMI database/software support in Kenya for BOP; British Crown Agents database/software support in Zimbabwe. (Paragraph 81)

*Source: EDDI project evaluation content (paragraphs 60–81) from the provided PDF content unit.*

### 82.      More communication by IMF experts while on mission with the wider donor

### 032013 - 82.      More communication by IMF experts while on mission with the wider donor community

### Communication and coordination with donors
- Recommendation: More communication by IMF experts while on mission with the wider donor community.
- IMF commitment: Continue efforts to encourage experts to visit DFID country advisors while on mission along with the World Bank and other donors when it is known they are engaged in related work.
- DFID role: DFID country advisors can contribute by including specific donors in meetings with the IMF expert when they are known to be engaged in related work.
- Example: The DFID country advisor in Ghana organized a meeting with the World Bank team for a visiting IMF expert in February 2013.
- Repeated suggestion in responses: Better communication by IMF experts with local donors and organizations engaged in related work (e.g., DFID and World Bank).
- Note on complementary funding: Suggestion for “complementary funding” repeated; IMF does not consider this part of its “tool box,” but improved communication with donors may identify opportunities for complementary donor funding. Preferred source of complementary funding is the host government itself.

### Quality and timeliness of IMF advice
- Quality ratings: All DFID advisor responses rated the quality of advice by IMF experts as high.
  - Experts described as “subject experts in their fields with years of practical experience,” “one of the best internationally,” and as having “a very good technical understanding and a valuable flexibility.”
  - Advice described as “pragmatic recognizing the constraints of data collection and availability in many African countries.”
- Timeliness:
  - Most responses (80 percent) said that the advice was provided in a timely way.
  - The one negative response appeared to be a partial no and recognized factors including national statistics office planning and IMF inability to field support quickly for large jobs.
  - IMF scheduling constraints: IMF requires a minimum amount of time to arrange for a mission; if the expert is available, a minimum lag of two months is possible, allowing time for hiring/contracting and travel arrangements.
  - EDDI missions: Most EDDI missions are scheduled as part of a regular series that both countries and experts can plan for. Unexpected scheduling or disruptions (e.g., security disruption prohibiting IMF missions for a lengthy period in one country in the second year of EDDI) cause problems.

### Impact on country statistical systems
- General finding: Responses generally confirmed that EDDI was having a positive impact in their countries.
- Country examples cited:
  - Kenya: improved timeliness of BOP statistics.
  - Rwanda: improved quality, and perception of quality by users, of national accounts.
  - Ghana: publication of QNA for the first time in Ghana.
- Implementation and ownership:
  - Occasional resistance: Hierarchical organizations’ officials can feel authority or knowledge questioned by external experts and therefore resist; DFID country advisors can advise IMF experts on pragmatic approaches.
  - EDDI success in promoting inclusion of complementary activities in host country annual budgets, with examples such as BOP surveys, hiring and training of additional staff, and software development.

### Suggestions and other comments
- Repeated suggestions from respondents:
  - Better communication by IMF experts with local donors and organizations engaged in related work.
  - Provision of “complementary funding” (not part of IMF tool box).
  - Consideration of having in-country IMF advisors.
    - Procedure: If a country requests an in-country IMF advisor, it should make a formal request either through its executive director on the IMF Board of Directors or directly to the Director of the IMF Statistics Department.
    - IMF funding: The IMF may fund a limited number of in-country advisors each year depending on availability of funds.
    - Alternative: More intensive TA can be provided through IMF regional TA centers.
    - Regional TA centers: AFRITAC East and AFRITAC South are already operating and providing assistance to many EDDI countries; a new AFRITAC West is being planned and organized to begin in the coming year or two.
- Practical note: The best source of complementary funding is the host government, which is the preferred way to ensure sustainability.

### Recommendations (from source)
- More frequent missions to countries especially in need;
- More lengthy missions (e.g., 3–4 weeks instead of 2) to countries especially in need;
- More workshops or training courses to increase capacity to absorb TA (national accounts and GFS);
- Timing missions when new data are ready;
- Extend EDDI’s TA and training beyond the main government agencies to include data reporting institutions;
- Sensitize high-level management of the main statistical agencies (statistical offices, central banks, and finance ministries) of the importance of continued funding for implementation of the project. This can be done by IMF African Department missions to countries, high-level meetings in Washington at the annual and spring meetings, and communications by senior IMF Statistics Department staff as needed with particular countries;
- More IMF experts will meet with DFID country advisors while on missions, and with other donors that are known to be engaged in work closely related to EDDI. DFID advisors will where possible assist in organizing meeting with significant other donors/stakeholders.

*Source: IMF/DFID Enhanced Data Dissemination Initiative mid-term evaluation (excerpts).*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/np/pp/eng/2013/_032013.pdf_