MEFMI Capacity Building Initiative Lauded for Accelerating Formation of Human and Institutional Development

MEFMI recently conducted an Impact and Needs Assessment (INA) from 31^st March to 16^th April 2014. The study was launched by MEFMI with a view to evaluate the extent of progress made in the implementation of Phase IV Plan which runs from 2012 to 2016.  The findings of the assessment form the major input for the Mid Term Review (MTR) scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2015. The assessment aimed at measuring the extent to which MEFMI has achieved objectives for Phase IV. The assessment also identified the major areas of strength and those requiring improvement.

The Impact and Needs Assessment was conducted by a team of consultants sourced from the region under the three (3) mainstream Programme areas of MEFMI. The team was led by Mrs Judith Ndissi who is the Head of Marketing for Eastern and Southern Africa at Investment Management (ICBC – Asia). Other experts in the team were Mr. Morris Mulomba, who is a Financial Sector Specialist based in Zambia, Mr. Fredrick Twesiime, who is the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Finance in Uganda, Dr. Bernie Zaaruka, who is a Senior Economist in the Bank of Namibia’s Research Department, Mr. Samuel Tarinda, a Chief Economist in the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Economic Research and Policy Division, and Ms. Makampong Tšolele, a Debt Manager in the Ministry of Finance, Lesotho.

The assessment covered all the 13 MEFMI member countries.  Senior officials in the Client Institutions were interviewed, while in some instances, the Deputy Governors and Deputy Permanent Secretaries were interviewed.

The findings of the assessment indicate that MEFMI is regarded as an important player in the provision of capacity building by its Client Institutions. This is according to the rating done by the officials who participated in most activities that were conducted by the Institute over the review period.

Results also indicated that, the hands-on nature of the regional courses has tremendously improved analytical skills in the areas of macroeconomic management, debt management, and financial sector development. The Fellows Development Programme was said to be an effective intervention in building sustainable capacity in the Client Institutions. 

Overall, progress so far suggests that MEFMI interventions in all the areas of operation are on course to fulfil the objectives as outlined in the Phase IV Document.

The results also indicate that there is still need for the Secretariat to ensure that  training and capacity needs of the region are effectively addressed.  This includes completing implementation of the various tools, courses and in-country missions that are already underway.  Most of these activities are at various stages of implementation.  There is also need to meet all the objectives and quantitative targets for the remaining two and half years of Phase IV.