Evaluation of the roadmap "demographic dynamics in Africa 2017-2021" (AFD)
In 2022 hera was selected by the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement, AFD) to conduct a mid-term evaluation of their "Demographic Dynamics in Africa" roadmap 2017-2021. The objectives of the evaluation were multifold and were intended to drive continuous learning and improvement within the AFD.
At the core of the evaluation was a focus on the primary departments involved in the roadmap’s creation and implementation within the AFD. These included divisions for Education, Training, Employment (EDU), Social Link (CLS), Health and Social Protection (SAN), and Governance (GOUV). Departments spanned Africa (AFR) with its associated agencies, Strategy and Partnerships (SPC) with its NGO division (OSC), and Public Economic and Policy Diagnostics (ECO).
The evaluation was expected to measure the early changes and outcomes occurring at the halfway point of the initiative. The goal was to glean insights that could potentially inform the development of a future cross-cutting intervention framework (CIT). The exercise was intended to provide valuable feedback on the relevance and validity of AFD's positioning and strategic choices in the field of demography. The use of the "Demographic Dynamics" roadmap, AFD's contribution to the development and implementation of public policies, and their role in achieving developmental results in this area were all part of the comprehensive analysis.
Moreover, it was expected that the evaluation's recommendations would contribute towards improving the design and monitoring of results related to the roadmap's objectives. The AFD, in line with its commitment to accountability, also aimed to share the results with its supervisory bodies, civil society, and partners, illustrating the relevance of the roadmap, its implementation, and the developmental results to which it contributes.
The evaluation was expected to take several forms: i) a snapshot of AFD's achievements up to the latest possible date, along with the projects they had contributed to in the field of demography, ii) a narrative history of the integration of demography within the AFD, and iii) a detailed response to evaluative questions, supported by robust conclusions, leading to the formulation of operational recommendations and cross-cutting lessons.
In retrospect, the call from AFD was more than just a request for proposals. It was an invitation to partake in an exercise of introspection, learning, and growth. It offered a unique insight into the dynamic and evolving relationship between development agencies and their strategic approaches, specifically in the context of demographic changes in Africa. This reflection process led not only to a deeper understanding of the AFD's strategic choices and their implications but also to tangible recommendations for future actions.