Reviewing the SADC Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation System for the SADC Protocol on Trade

The Project at A Glance

The Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation (MRE) System for the SADC Protocol on Trade was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of Trade in July 2014 and its implementation commenced immediately thereafter. The MRE System for the Protocol on Trade thus aims to strengthen the results-oriented monitoring function and capacity in Member States, SADC Structures and the SADC Secretariat for the purpose of improving programmes and policies, organisational learning and accountability, to introduce approaches and tools to monitor progress towards the obligations and desired outcomes consistent with the Trade Protocol, and to provide practical guidance to stakeholders on producing reports, presenting data and using the information for decision making and resource allocation.

International Economics, with funding from GIZ, undertook a comprehensive review of the MRE System to propose improvements and revisions to its design, and a plausible approach to reporting, monitoring and evaluation.

What We Found

The project’s overall objective was to review the functionality, tools, reporting cycle and the usability of the MRE System, to assess if the MRE System achieves its objectives as well as the purpose envisaged in the SPME, including a technical review, especially regarding indicators used, of all the MRE System components, to assess the relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of the MRE System taking into account the newly developed automated reporting platform. International Economics also recommended possible changes and improvements to the MRE System in order to ensure that it successfully monitors the implementation, outcome and impact of the SADC Protocol on Trade and reviewed the SADC national support training on the MRE System.

Our Strategy and Impact

The team at International Economics conducted a desk study and stakeholder consultations to evaluate the system and collect data. An online questionnaire was also distributed to determine user satisfaction. The team analysed and synthesised the data and information collected to address key evaluation questions under the OECD-DAC criteria. A series of recommendations were also developed on improvements and revisions of the tool, and to suggest ways of streamlining data collection and consolidation. The outputs from this project were used by the SADC Secretariat to ensure relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of the MRE System.

Our Core Solutions

Governments, international donors, and the private sector face many important questions on the expected outputs and impact before, during and after the implementation of their projects. This is where International Economics Consulting’s team of experts, using innovative methodologies to collect and analyse data, can assist you in tracking the economic, social, and environmental aspects of your project.