Aid Coordination and Managemnet Section (ACM Section)
The Aid Coordination and Managemnet Section (ACM Section) coordinates, manages and monitors externally funded projects and the implementation of the aid policy. The role and functions of the ACM Section oscillate around three main areas as identified in the Planning Officer's Manual (1992), namely, Aid Management coordination, Aid Administration; and Aid Planning.
Most of the aid that flows into Swaziland is bilateral. Major donors in Swaziland are the Republic of China and the European Union. Other donors include Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Denmark and the various agencies of the United Nations. On the whole external assistance to Swaziland has declined with donors changing their financing strategies and focusing on least developing countries and countries in transition.
Aid Policy
The Policy defines institutional roles and relationships among government Ministries, parastatal organisations, other stakeholders and co-operating partners. It also streamlines the procedures for aid administration in the country. The policy lays down the basis for a sound and coherent aid resource management and coordination as well as the accountability of resources.
The objectives of Swaziland's Aid Policy on External Assistance are to:
- ensure that externally funded projects are consistent with national and sectoral priorities and objectives and that external assistance is used efficiently, effectively and in a sustainable manner;
- outline obtaining external assistance and encourage wider and relevant consultations on the preparation of external assistance requests/proposals;
- ensure that Government is aware of her commitments and that External Funding Agencies are aware of Government priorities in terms of allocating financial and human resources;
- define the relationship between implementing ministries/agencies and those ministries/agencies responsible for external assistance coordination in order to avoid duplication of efforts on externally funded programmes/projects;
- ensure full and regular accountability and reporting on external assistance and to specify institutional responsibilities in monitoring/evaluating of externally funded projects
In order to achieve these objectives the Minister launched the External Assistance Committee (EAC) in November 2002. The EAC which is comprised of MEPD, MOFAT, MOF, MOPSI will oversee and monitor the operationalisation of the Aid Policy.
Aid Administration and Planning
The Section coordinated the mobilisation, commitment and utilisation of external aid throughout the year.
Aid Management
The Section established an External Assistance Management System (EAMS) which has now been replaced by the National Authorising Office´s Management System, to assist in coordinating and monitoring all external assistance received by Swaziland. A data base on external aid was established that is regularly updated and reports on commitments, disbursements and progress reports of projects are produced. A summary of major donor activities is as follows:
Republic of China
The Republic of China and the Government of Swaziland signed a Protocol on Technical Cooperation in 1997 which was operationalised in June 1997 the protocol provides US $10m per annum for development projects. However, the Protocol has since lapsed in June 2007 and negotiations for a renewing it are at an advanced stage and the new Protocol will be effective in January 2008. A Technical Monitoring Committee was set up with representatives from Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Trade and co-chaired by the Principal Secretary of Economic Planning and Development and the Ambassador of the Republic of China. The Technical Committee has now been extended to include all representatives of Ministries/organizations, which have ongoing projects under the protocol. Both Governments meet annually in a Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC) to discuss progress in the use of Protocol funds and also determine allocation of funds for the following year. The country had benefited in several number of projects that exceed 50 projects since the inception of the Protocol. Some of the projects include rural electrification, rural resettlement, agriculture and research, computers for schools and government ministries, RICA, handicraft, health, poverty reduction strategy and action plan, and water supply schemes.
Japan
Annually the government of Japan provides assistance in the following categories: -
(i) Fertiliser and Agricultural Machinery/Equipment
For the past 16 years the Japanese Government has been offering assistance in the form of fertiliser and agricultural equipment on an annual basis. This year, 2004 the Kingdom of Swaziland and the Government of Japan signed an exchange notes for Y143 million which is equivalent to about E12 million.
(ii) Rural Water Supply
A study team was mobilized for the Second Phase of Rural Water Supply. The project is already being implemented. The total amount for this project is Yen 517 million approximately E32 million.
(iii) Equipment for Preservation and Exhibition
This year, 2004 the Kingdom of Swaziland and the Government of Japan signed exchange of notes for the procurement of equipment for preservation and exhibition to the Swaziland National Museum worth Yen 42.3 million that is in equivalence of about E2.5 million.
iv) Capacity Building
Government of Swaziland continues to benefit in capacity building in the various ministries from short-term seminars and courses, which are conducted by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) annually.
v) Humanitarian Aid
The Government of Japan also contributes to the humanitarian aid especially Food Aid through the World Food Programme (WFP). Swaziland is one of the beneficiaries.
United Nations Agencies
The Ministry continues to play an active role in aid programming processes of the United Nations (UN) assessing the performance of ongoing activities, determining the future areas of focus for cooperation and the preparation of successor programmes and the financial year 2003/2004 has not been an exception.
UNICEF
A Country Strategy Paper was formulated in January 2000 where strategic areas were identified as:
Ÿ Prevention of HIV transmission, and care of those affected or infected by HIV/AIDS
Ÿ Reduction of Infant Mortality and maternal mortality
Ÿ Increased access to relevant and quality education for all children
Ÿ Minimisation of incidence of child abuse
Ÿ Mainstreaming of gender issues in the development process.
The Country Strategy Paper identified four areas to achieve these goals:
Integrated Basic Social Services Programme,
Community Action For Children Rights Programme
Policy and Institutional Support Programme
Cross Sectoral Costs
To implement these programmes a Master Plan of Operation was formulated and signed on 19 December 2000. By this Plan of Operation, UNICEF undertook to provide a total of USD 11.3 million over the period 2001-2005 to these programmes.
The projects implementation started early 2001 and it is ongoing. The overall goal of the Master Plan of Operation of the 2001-2005 programme of cooperation between the Government and UNICEF is "to enhance national capacities to promote, protect and fulfill the rights of children, and to strengthen community capacities to translate those national commitment into practical, positive outcomes for children". An Annual Review of the Master Plan of Operation was held on the 10th November 2004.
UNDP
The UNDP Country Cooperation Framework (CCF) 2001-2005 is nearing completion later this year, 2005. The implementation of the activities has been progressing throughout the financial year 2003/04. This programme is aimed at supporting the GOS in developing capacities for policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting the progress made on the country's poverty situation. The programme will also ensure the mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS into all development plans, strategies, policies and programmes.
The CCF was reviewed in February 2000. Notable achievements under the good governance programme were the formulation of the National Development Strategy, the Codification of the Swazi laws and customs, and the drafting of the NGO policy. Under the sustainable livelihood programme, important achievements were made in sensitising farmers in mushroom production, training in entrepreneurial skills, the drafting of the national disaster management policy and the formulation of a National Gender Policy. A draft handbook on National Execution Guidelines was produced and completed in September 2001. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Swaziland and UNDP and Tibiyo Taka Ngwane for the Mushroom project was signed December 2001.
The overall priority areas covered by the CCF are:
· Poverty reduction
· Environment and disaster management
· HIV and AIDS
· Democratic governance and gender mainstreaming
· Information, communication and technology.
The targeted amount of resources for the UNDP Country Cooperation Framework 2001-2005 is US$8 million.
The UNDP has been assisting the Government of Swaziland in the preparation of papers for the donor's conference and the coordination of this important event. The donor's conference will provide a forum for Swaziland to present the policy framework of the country, development strategies and projects or programmes which will address the needs of the Swazi people in the areas of poverty, unemployment and HIV/AIDS to the donor community. The Donor Round Table will be held on a date still to be indicated. The anticipated outcome of this important event is enhancement of interest for private sector investment and increase of donor support both financial and technical.
United Kingdom
A grant of approximately 10 million Emalangeni was provided by the United Kingdom for the Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Institutional Support Project. This project is for a period of three years and is currently ongoing. Technical assistance has also been provided for the development of the national land policy and the strengthening of the Swaziland Environmental Authority. However, Department For International Development (DFID) is now moving from the series of separate individual country bilateral programmes to a regional approach. Assistance to the country would now be managed at regional level but DFID would work collaboratively with the individual countries concerned to agree on priorities on the areas of focus that include HIV/AIDS, facilitating international trade and regional water supply.
Danida
The Danish Government has also assisted the country in a number of areas although their assistance in recent years has declined. They are currently assisting in the formulation of an Energy Policy, Forest Policy and a Solid Waste Management Strategy for Swaziland. The Energy and Forest Policy have been completed and submitted to cabinet for approval.
Italy
Italy has continued to provide technical support to the health sector, in particular public health including HIV/AIDS prevention.
Germany
Germany through GTZ has continued its support for the introduction of company-based vocational training in Swaziland.
Sweden
The Swedish government is assisting the country in capacity building in terms of short-term courses. Several Ministries and the private sector have benefited from these courses, which are conducted by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).
Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC)
The CFTC provides Government with relevant technical expertise. The Poverty Reduction Adviser has recently completed his term of service.
