INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

	FY 1998 Actual	FY 1999 Estimate	FY 2000 Request
Development Assistance	$30,000,000	$28,000,000	---
Development Fund for Africa	---	---	$23,815,000
Economic Support Fund	---	$2,000,000	$1,000,000

Introduction.

Southern Africa, which contains Africa's most well-developed infrastructure and diverse natural resource base, has the potential to lead the rest of Africa into a more prosperous 21st century. The region comprises 14 countries spanning a geographical area the size of the continental United States, with a population of close to 200 million people. Through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), established by treaty in 1992, these countries are committed to regional economic cooperation and integration, as well as to environmentally sustainable use of the region's natural resources; human rights; democracy and the rule of law. Achievement of these objectives will create a larger, more stable, more democratic trading partner with the United States, and eventually will reduce the need for economic assistance to all countries in the region.

With the creation of a larger integrated market, Southern Africa will attract substantial domestic, regional and foreign investment and have a combined GDP of over $172 billion. Even with needed reforms only partly completed, trade between the United States and SADC countries has been growing. U.S. exports to the region increased from $2.7 billion in 1994 to $3.6 billion in 1997, while U.S. imports from the region increased from $4.9 billion in 1994 to $6.5 billion in 1997. Full achievement of a SADC free trade area is expected to double economic growth over the regional average of the past ten years, creating jobs and raising the standard of living throughout the region.

In response to the positive changes taking place in the region and the region's potential, USAID is undertaking the Initiative for Southern Africa (ISA). The purposes of the ISA are to encourage the region to continue with growth-oriented reforms; to complement USAID efforts already underway in the region to expand economic and political cooperation; and to support the reintegration of South Africa's industrial, financial and technical resources into the regional economy in a manner that stimulates mutually beneficial development. The ISA complements and supports broader U.S. foreign policy initiatives, such as efforts by the Department of Commerce to create export opportunities for U.S. industry; by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with SADC; and the Secretary of State's proposal for an annual U.S.-SADC Forum, combined with the designation of a Special Representative to SADC.

The Development Challenge.

The countries of the region share many common features, including recent rapid economic and political changes and commitment to a common development path. The debate in the region is no longer whether regional cooperation and integration should be pursued but, rather, when, in what sectors, and under what institutional arrangements. Embodied in those questions are significant development and institutional challenges. Progress toward regional market integration and sustainable, well-established democracies has not been without setbacks. Although SADC leads the integration process across many sectors involving numerous government ministries in each member country, as an institution SADC itself is diffused and not consistently effective. From USAID's standpoint, operating regionally presents many challenges, among them how best to engage SADC and its various institutions, and how best to achieve a high degree of collaboration with USAID bilateral programs and the efforts of other donors. On the development front, much needs to be done at the regional level before democratic norms and practices become fully integrated into society, a free market economy becomes irreversible, and natural resources are sustainably managed across national borders.

The ISA regional approach is USAID's answer to these developmental and institutional challenges. Implemented by USAID's Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA), the ISA is designed to work in several ways that differ from and complement USAID's bilateral programs. First, an effective USAID interface with SADC is needed; the RCSA, located in Gaborone, Botswana along with the SADC Secretariat, is that interface. Second, the challenges of regional integration are largely cross-border in nature; the ISA focuses on cross-border issues that are beyond the reach of bilateral programs. Third, policy reform efforts at the national level in Southern Africa, particularly those related to democratization and the liberalization of macro-economic and trade-related policies, is complemented at the regional level through ISA support for the development and implementation of SADC Protocols (treaties) in the areas of transport and communications; trade; finance and investment; shared watercourses; and other transboundary natural resources.

Other Donors.

USAID looks for opportunities to cooperate with other donors with similar interests in promoting economic growth and increased cooperation in the region. Major donors involved in promoting regional market integration include the European Union, the United Kingdom, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the African Development Bank. USAID collaborates with other donors on a number of regional programs: improving trade, communication and information exchange; rail and road efficiency; finance and investment; food security; community-based natural resource and transboundary management; and agricultural research.

FY 2000 Program.

USAID works in three principal areas: building democracy, encouraging broad-based economic growth, and protecting the environment. While formal democratic structures are largely in place, the region lacks a "culture of democracy" in which citizens understand and exercise their democratic rights and where governments consistently demonstrate accountability. USAID will continue its Southern Africa Regional Democracy Fund, which supports the promotion of democratic "best practices" throughout the region, working closely with civil society organizations that operate regionally.

USAID's investments over the past decade to improve rail and road infrastructure efficiency, customs and trade liberalization, continued support for privatization, and restructuring of telecommunications and railroads are contributing to the flow of trade and information critical to private sector development. The Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund will continue to address the financial constraints faced by previously disadvantaged enterprises in the region. USAID support for regionally-coordinated agricultural research and training has begun to reap rich rewards through increased availability of higher-yielding and/or drought-resistant varieties of the region's most important crops for small farmers.

Environmental degradation is a major problem in Southern Africa. Continued expansion of livestock, crop production, and clearing of indigenous trees in marginal lands requires special attention to management of natural resources by communities and governments. Other major regional problems include latent and potential conflicts over the management of transboundary water and other resources. USAID's ongoing community-based natural resource management program demonstrates that the sustainable use of wildlife and indigenous plants is a viable alternative. New initiatives more directly addressing transboundary natural resources (such as water and/or conservation areas) are in the planning stage.

REGIONAL CENTER FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

FY 2000 PROGRAM SUMMARY
(in Thousands of Dollars)

USAID Mission Director, Edward J. Spriggs

USAID Strategic and Special Objectives	Economic Growth & Agriculture	Population & Health	Environment	Democracy	Human Capacity Development	Humanitarian Assistance	TOTALS
S.O. 1. Increased Reg'l Capacity to Influence Dem. Performance - DFA	---	---	---	1,900	---	---	1,900
S.O. 2. More Integrated Reg'l Market - DFA - ESF	10,915 1,000	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	--- ---	10,915 1,000
S.O. 3. Accelerated Reg'l Adoption of Agriculture/ Nat'l Resource Management Practices - DFA	3,100	---	3,400	---	---	---	6,500
SP.O. 1. Increased Reg'l Capacity to Manage Transboundary Nat'l Resources - DFA	---	---	3,000	---	---	---	3,000
SP.O. 2. Create Capacity for More Informed Reg'l Decision Making - DFA	1,500	---	---	---	---	---	1,500
Totals: - DFA - ESF	15,515 1,000	--- ---	6,400 ---	1,900 ---	--- ---	--- ---	23,815 1,000

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Regional Capacity to Influence Democratic Performance, 690-SO01
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 2000: $1,900,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 2003

Summary: The purpose of this strategic objective is to increase regional capacity to influence democratic performance. USAID's long-term strategy for democracy and governance is based on Southern African identification of impediments to democratization, and concentrates on opportunities to address those impediments through regional cooperation. During FY 2000, USAID will continue to focus on regional linkages among groups that serve as a mutually supportive network to promote democratic values, norms and processes.

Key Results: USAID has identified four areas for its regional democracy work: media organizations; civil society organizational development; assistance in electoral administration; and anti-corruption activities. Activities in these areas will include information exchange and other forms of networking among regional, national and local groups that promote democratic progress; supporting efforts to improve public information on specific issues on a regional basis; and promoting the articulation and development of region-wide norms, standards and models for democratic governance.

Performance and Prospects: Through its bilateral and regional programs, USAID assistance has been instrumental in a number of the Southern African transitions from authoritarian rule to democratically-elected governments. USAID continues to provide support to consolidate democratic gains that were made by Southern African countries in the early and mid-nineties. Through the Southern Africa Regional Democracy Fund (SARDF), USAID supports organizations working regionally as well as initiatives that are intended to strengthen democratic values in the region. SARDF support has contributed to the formation of a regional human rights advocacy network, increased electronic networking among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the region, strengthened independent and free media, and supported activities of common interest groups such as parliamentarians. In order to enhance the impact of this objective, USAID will develop long-term partnership relationships with organizations that have been identified as effective regional players. SARDF's regional working group has become a key reference group for USAID's democracy program. The group, comprising two Southern Africans from each participating country, provides strategic direction and reviews implementation progress.

Possible Adjustments to Plans: There are no planned adjustments to this objective.

Other Donor Programs: USAID is the major donor providing support for regional democracy activities. Denmark and to a lesser extent, Canada and the Commonwealth Secretariat (an association of countries formerly linked to the United Kingdom, now devoted to mutual international goals), are the only other major donors who fund regional democracy and governance programs. Denmark's program involves support for electoral administration and media efforts, while the Commonwealth Secretariat focuses on elections. Aid from other donors flows through several discrete channels, including bilateral and multilateral donors; parliamentary groups; international organizations; independent NGOs; churches; and academic institutions. One of USAID's top priorities is to promote coordination among the two dozen or more donors active at the regional level. Coordinated donor efforts in the promotion and strengthening of democratic institutions will benefit the entire population of the region.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID implements this activity through indigenous Southern African NGOs and other entities that work with U.S. or other international partners. Grantmaking and other support services for this strategic objective are provided by the U.S. firm Datex, Inc.

Selected Performance Measures: USAID's long-term strategy for democracy and governance in Southern Africa employs largely qualitative indicators to measure results. Similar to other democracy and governance programs, it is difficult to quantitatively measure results. The program uses indicators that measure increases in the capacity of organizations that work regionally, and increases in the effectiveness of regional institutions in developing regional democratic values. The indicators also measure the increase in the quantity and quality of intra-regional democracy and governance-related information; the quantity and quality of regional public debate on key issues; and increases in the number of common-interest groups that have developed significant sets of norms for democracy and governance activities.

	Baseline	FY 2000	Target (2003)
Proportion of national-level DG events, discourse around which is discernibly influenced by regional factors	34.2 (1997)	45.5	60.6
Increased effectiveness of organizations that seek to achieve regional DG impacts	TBD (1996)	TBD	TBD
Percentages of recipients finding overall value of information satisfactory or better	97% (1997)	>80%	>80%

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: A More Integrated Regional Market, 690-SO02
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 2000: $10,915,000 DFA; $1,000,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 2003

Summary: The purpose of this strategic objective is to enhance prospects for economic growth in the region. Southern Africa's economic performance will improve when the region begins to operate as a single economic market. A more integrated regional market will contribute to growth in employment, incomes, and food security. USAID's regional program assists SADC member countries in three areas: reducing barriers to broader participation in the regional market; providing more efficient infrastructure; and strengthening support for changes in the policy and regulatory environment for sustained regional economic integration.

Key Results: During FY 2000, USAID will help prepare for and participate in the first U.S.-SADC Trade Forum. The central theme of this forum will be developing better trade linkages between the United States and SADC countries. USAID will continue working with SADC to implement its Trade Protocol by providing expert assistance during trade negotiating fora among member countries. USAID will work with SADC in the development of a finance and investment protocol, and will support increased investment in the region through continued funding of the Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF). In infrastructure, USAID will provide assistance to SADC member countries in preparing parastatal railroads and telecommunications companies for privatization, and will assist in the development and installation of regionally-based information and networking systems that will facilitate the regional integration process.

Performance and Prospects: Southern Africa is moving toward an integrated regional marketplace. USAID supports Southern Africa’s economic integration by helping develop and implement trade policies and regional infrastructure reforms that promote the free flow of goods, services, capital and labor across regional borders. USAID supports efforts to develop a sustained partnership between the private and public sectors and broader participation in economic activity, from the small-scale farmer to the large entrepreneur. These efforts will lead to more jobs, increased incomes and improved standards of living for all Southern Africans. Recent achievements under this objective include the following:

• SAEDF approved disbursements of $25 million to 20 enterprises in eight Southern African countries. A total of $7.4 million already has been disbursed to clients in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• When fully implemented, the SADC Trade Protocol will create a Free Trade Area among 14 Southern African countries. USAID has assisted with efforts to ratify the trade protocol by providing technical assistance to SADC and to SADC member states to understand and evaluate the protocol's expected impacts and build support for its ratification. This approach was particularly successful in Mozambique, which was initially reluctant to ratify the protocol and now fully endorses it.
• USAID has assisted SADC in developing a framework for its Finance and Investment Protocol, which will facilitate the movement of funds across borders for business purposes as well as encourage investment in the region.
• USAID has helped SADC member countries adopt standardized customs and trade documents, which will facilitate and increase intra-SADC trade. SADC Trade Ministers now have approved these standardized documents and recommends their use by all member countries.
• USAID has led regional efforts to develop model laws that stress independent regulation and private sector participation in the provision of infrastructure services. The model telecommunications law is a notable success. It has been approved by the SADC Transport Committee and Communications Ministers; now all SADC countries are required to bring their national telecommunications laws into conformance with the approved regional model. USAID also has provided assistance to several countries in revising their telecommunications laws.
• USAID also is providing a "real-time" railroad car tracking system to the regional railroad systems. When completed in 2000, the tracking system will provide savings of more than $10 million per year, improve delivery schedules, and better utilize railroad cars throughout the region.

Possible Adjustments to Plans: There are no planned adjustments to this objective.

Other Donor Programs: The United Kingdom is particularly active in promoting public sector reform throughout the region. The Cross Border Initiative, funded by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank, and the European Union (EU), contributes to reducing trade barriers in the region. The EU also is assisting SADC with the implementation of the SADC Trade Protocol; the Transport, Communications and Meteorology Protocol; and the development of the Finance and Investment Protocol--all of which will facilitate intra-regional trade. The EU and the Nordic countries provide support to SADC for infrastructure policy reform. Norway, Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United Nations Development Program, and the EU have programs for small and medium-sized enterprises. Canada and a German NGO also support regional networks to promote small and medium-sized enterprises.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Key U.S. implementing organizations include SAEDF, Chemonics, Nathan Associates, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The International Telecommunication Union works with USAID in the telecommunications sector.

Selected Performance Measures:

	Baseline	FY 2000	Target
Value of regional trade ($US million - constant)	9,044 (1995)	9,465	10,957 (2003)
Convergence of wholesale prices (standard deviation)	7.53 (1997)	6.5	5.53 (2003)
Decreased proportion of intra-SADC imports subject to tariffs in excess of 10%	39.5 (1995)	32.8	23.9 (2003)
Reduced cost of transporting imports ($US current) - Durban to Ndola - Beira to Ndola	3,100 (1997) 2,676 (1997)	2,518 2,174	2,266 (2001) 1,956 (2001)
Increased number of licensed telecommunications service providers	14 (1993)	38	45 (2003)

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Accelerated Regional Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Approaches, 690-SO03
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 2000: $6,500,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 2003

Summary: The purpose of this strategic objective is to accelerate regional adoption of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management approaches. USAID's strategy focuses on achieving two major outcomes: (1) putting in place functioning systems for transferring proven sustainable, profitable agricultural and natural resource management technologies and best practices across the Southern Africa region; and (2) creating an enabling policy environment that provides incentives for smallholders to adopt sustainable technologies and approaches. Through this program USAID will build national and regional institutional capacities to develop and test new technologies and approaches, and improved data and analysis for developing food and agricultural policies.

Key Results: USAID assistance is in three areas: (1) assisting Southern African Development Community (SADC) technical (sector) units to develop technologies suitable for small farmers; (2) promoting community-based natural resources management in areas unsuitable for intensive agriculture; and (3) building capacity in regional institutions to develop, disseminate and promote the adoption of appropriate agriculture and natural resource policies, technologies and strategies.

Performance and Prospects: USAID supports the Southern Africa Center for Cooperation in Agricultural Research (SACCAR) in research coordination and impact assessment, and finances three regional agricultural research networks: the Sorghum and Millet Improvement Program, the Southern Africa Root Crops Research Network, and the Heartwater Animal Disease Control Program. These regional networks provide national agricultural research systems with high-yielding varieties for local testing, selection and release; help build capacity within the national systems; and facilitate exchanges of information among them. Since their inception, these regional programs have resulted in the release of more than 30 improved sorghum and millet varieties and the selection of appropriate cassava and sweet potato lines for several agroecological zones. More than 100 research scientists, 200 technicians, and 800 staff and decision-makers in the national research systems have been trained, resulting in marked improvements in the planning and management of research programs. USAID's Heartwater Disease Control Project is producing effective vaccines and tick repellents, technologies needed to control this disease affecting cattle in the Southern African region.

USAID also supports community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) initiatives in four Southern Africa countries--Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe--as well as regional networking and training initiatives through the SADC wildlife unit, based in Malawi. Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the World Conservation Union and the World Wildlife Fund, collaborate as implementing partners. These community-based activities demonstrate that sustainable utilization of indigenous plants and animals is a viable alternative to unsustainable agricultural practices on marginal lands. Communities now are receiving significant incomes from successful tourism ventures and the marketing of non-traditional forest products. In addition, USAID and SADC collaboration with the World Conservation Union has expanded the activities of its more than sixty governmental and NGO members in environmental policy development, monitoring of trade in wildlife products, and development of new environmental education materials.

FY 2000 efforts will increase the number of successful community-based natural resource management programs; further policy analysis and implementation efforts by regional entities; and assist NGOs to disseminate improved agricultural and natural resource technologies. In addition, USAID will work with SADC to improve coordination among its regional technical units and to develop a framework to "harmonize" national policies.

Possible Adjustments to Plans: Discussions are underway with partners and USAID bilateral missions in the region to identify additional relevant activities. Activities under consideration include promotion of regionally-focused agricultural and natural resource-based enterprises and improvements to the policy and regulatory environment for managing regional natural resources. USAID also is considering merging this objective with its special objective on management of transboundary natural resources, in order to improve coordination and management of overall efforts in this sector.

Other Donor Programs: USAID is the major donor supporting agricultural research and community-based natural resource management. Other donors include Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the Nordic countries.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and the University of Florida are grantees working in collaboration with the 12 SADC national agriculture research systems. Regional organizations such as the SADC Secretariat, SACCAR, the World Conservation Union's Regional Office for Southern Africa, SADC's wildlife unit, and several Southern African universities also are implementers. Other implementers include the NGOs World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International and PACT, and the U.S. firm Chemonics.

Selected Performance Measures:

	Baseline (1995)	FY 2000	Target (2003)
Percentage of area planted in improved sorghum and millet varieties	15%	20%	40%
Percentage of area planted in improved cassava and sweet potato	0	5%	20%
Number of Southern African countries with active CBNRM programs	5	5	7
Number of countries with legislation supporting community rights to manage natural resources	4	4	6

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Regional Capacity to Manage Transboundary Natural Resources, 690-SPO1
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 2000: $3,000,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 2003

Summary: The purpose of this strategic objective is to increase regional capacity to manage transboundary natural resources (TBNR). Sustainable development in Southern Africa hinges on effective regional management of shared natural resources, especially water. Many Southern Africans consider management of water resources as the single most important issue meriting regional cooperation--and one that carries high potential for regional conflict if not addressed adequately. Southern Africa is a water-scarce region; virtually all of the region's river basins straddle international boundaries. Migratory wildlife pose similar problems, particularly in parks located along international borders. Yet there is limited capacity within national governments and regional institutions to tackle transboundary resource management issues. Regional and national organizations also fail to take advantage of opportunities to build upon the region's extensive network of protected areas and unique wildlife endowment in order to capture a larger share of the world's ecotourism market. The USAID program addresses these concerns.

Key Results: USAID addresses regional transboundary natural resources issues by: (1) helping to develop a cadre of national experts who understand transboundary issues and are able to negotiate conflicts over competing management scenarios in international fora; (2) developing models for improved transboundary natural resource management; and (3) strengthening regional institutional capacity. Efforts are focused so that those countries and groups who have the most to lose from poor regional management decisions, and who historically have had limited voices in these discussions, are encouraged to participate in the decision-making process.

USAID supports work in the following areas: investment in, and management of, transboundary parks; training in river basin management; training in negotiating and implementing transboundary natural resource management agreements; and strengthening the analytical and information sharing capacity of regional institutions involved in managing transboundary natural resources. USAID also will invest in at least one pilot activity to manage river basins or transboundary parks/ecosystems, in order to develop successful models for replication.

Performance and Prospects: The management of transboundary natural resources, which includes water, parks and ecosystems, and migratory wildlife, is a new area of involvement for USAID and for the Southern Africa region. USAID efforts have focused on understanding the dimensions of the problem and identifying opportunities for assistance. USAID funded a major assessment of the regional water sector in 1995, which has been the basis for considerable discussion among governments, donors and NGOs, and which has helped to focus new donor initiatives. USAID also collaborated with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on a stakeholders' workshop in June 1997, which prioritized policy interventions in implementing the SADC regional protocol on management of shared watercourses. USAID is assisting SADC with the implementation of the regional water protocol, including training for legal experts and technicians, raising public awareness of the protocol, and providing technical assistance for preparing and implementing such priority actions as defining river basin boundaries and issuing guidelines for the management of shared watercourses. USAID also has worked with SADC on the development of a new protocol on regional wildlife management. An assessment of the ecological, economic, political and social feasibility of creating additional transfrontier conservation areas in Southern Africa, which seem to offer potential for both improved conservation and higher financial returns from tourism, is nearing completion.

Possible Adjustments to Plans: USAID is considering merging this special objective with the strategic objective on the adoption of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management approaches, in order to improve coordination and management of overall efforts in this sector. A decision on this possible merger will be made in mid-1999.

Other Donor Programs: Most donors who are involved in water resources management work on a national level, many with a focus on rural water supply. Several donors are involved in regional water resources management and planning, including the United Nations Development Program, the European Union, Norway, and Denmark. In 1996, Sweden launched the Southern African Initiative for Support to Sustainable Management of Water Resources. The newly established Global Water Partnership (GWP) seeks to translate an emerging global consensus on water resources management into responsive action. The GWP has identified Southern Africa as the region with the highest priority for initial action, and is working to coordinate donor activity in the water sector. The World Bank is involved in transboundary park planning in the region, and has a regional initiative in participatory water resource policy reform. Successful USAID and other donor regional management of transboundary natural resources will benefit the entire population of the region. Regional organizations, national government agencies, and NGOs receiving capacity building will be the first-stage beneficiaries.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID will implement activities under this special objective through a combination of Southern African regional institutions and NGOs; U.S. private voluntary organizations; U.S. universities; and other entities, such as private contractors, who may work with U.S. or indigenous partners.

Selected Performance Measures:

	Baseline (1997)	FY 2000	Target (2002)
Steps taken toward making SADC TBNR Protocols operational	Water protocol signed by all except Angola and ratified by 6 SADC countries. Wildlife protocol in preparation.	National policy in harmony with Water Protocol in 6 countries.	National policy in harmony with Water Protocol in 7 countries.
Number of regional NGOs actively involved in management of TBNR	7	11	14
Progress made in developing and testing TBNR best practices	0	2	3

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Create Capacity for More Informed Regional Decision Making, 690-SPO2
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 2000: $1,500,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 2003

Summary: The shortage of regional information and analytical resources is a serious impediment to effective Southern African policy-making on a regional basis. There are vast differences in data-gathering capabilities among countries, with South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Mauritius among the leaders. The aggregation of existing country-specific data frequently fails to provide a comprehensive picture of the region as a whole. For example, several countries have large informal employment sectors, which are not captured in their Gross Domestic Product figures. As a result of these information deficits, Southern African decision makers lack the tools for sound policy-making based on clearly identified needs and realities of the region. The purposes of this special objective are to create a regional capacity for more informed decision making, and to develop a coherent, wide-ranging basis for accurately assessing regional trends and impacts related to decisions made at both the regional and national levels.

Key Results: Activities are being implemented in two phases. During the first phase, USAID is developing a performance monitoring system, including identifying and developing region-wide data sources, to meet the unique requirements of monitoring and evaluating the impact of regional programs. Lessons learned from developing a valid, reliable database of comparable information across the region will be applied to efforts within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to promote regional economic planning and integration. In the second phase, beginning in FY 1999, USAID will work closely with Southern African institutions to develop methodologies for gathering and analyzing regional development data. USAID also will identify and work closely with one or more Southern African institutions that could serve as an institutional "home" for regional development data.

Performance and Prospects: USAID initially is focusing on the development of methodologies for performance planning, monitoring, and evaluation, including assessing the impact of regional development programs. Given the dearth of regional information available for monitoring development progress, this activity requires close coordination with other donors and Southern African partners.

Beginning in FY 1999, the activity will build Southern African capacity to develop and analyze regional trends and to incorporate this analysis into regional economic, political, and social decision making. The demand for such skills will accelerate as the region becomes more interlinked and interdependent, and as regional economic integration and cooperation require increasing decisions with region-wide scope and impact. This activity will provide decision makers with the necessary information to weigh the comparative advantages of various alternatives while incorporating regional interests. It also will provide the background needed for the region to develop "regional visions" regarding particular sectors and across sectors. Finally, this objective will help improve the capabilities of some countries to collect and analyze information so they can participate in regional dialogues with their neighbors.

Possible Adjustments to Plans: There are no planned adjustments to this objective.

Other Donor Programs: The European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada have expressed strong interest in collaborating with USAID and SADC on this activity. USAID also seeks increased participation by public and private sector entities, such as the Southern African Research and Documentation Center and other Southern African research institutions.

Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The U.S. firm Aurora Associates is the principal contractor. Other contractors or grantees are to be determined.

Selected Performance Measures: Indicators and targets for this special objective will be finalized by May 1999. One indicator likely to be included is "an increase in the number of regional centers meeting development information needs."

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