Mr. Atsushi Hanatani Senior Research Fellow JICA Research Institute

Mr. Atsushi HanataniSenior Research FellowJICA Research Institute

Japan International Cooperation Agency

Session 2.1.2. Accelerating WASH Reform and Improving Governance

Japan’s experience with promoting

improved O&M governance in Africa

Japan’s contribution to Water Supply and Sanitation Sector (2003-2005)

2003 2004 2005 Total %

Japan 1,039 709 1,938 3,687 37%

US 106 955 1,017 2,077 21%

Germany 350 424 402 1,176 12%

Netherland 112 147 257 516 5%

Denmark 57 249 176 482 5%

France 169 176 114 458 5%

Others 522 379 612 1,513 15%

DAC Total 2,356 3,039 4,515 9,910 100%

Million USD

Source: OECD/DAC・ CRS Database

Japan’s contribution to Water Supply and Sanitation Sector

Million USD

Japan

USA

Germany

Netherland

Denmark

France

Year

Regional Distribution of JICA’s cooperation in Water Supply and Sanitation (1998-2007)

15%1%

49%

17%

4%

14%

Asia

Middle East

Africa

Europe

Pacific Region

Central/SouthAmerica

2%2%

16%

31% 19%

30%

Technical Assistance Total USD 978 million

Grant Aid Projects Total USD 1,840 million

No. of Water Supply Facilities Constructed by Japan (1993-2007) in Africa

FACILITY TYPE QT.

Borehole fitted with Handpump 10,898

Piped Water Supply System 917

TOTAL 11,815

Sector Reform and O&M in Africa- Sustainability in Question -

• A follow-up survey in Zambia by JICA indicates 30% of the RWS facilities are down (14% for those assisted by Japan) and approx. 30-50% are assumed to be in trouble in Africa (RWSN 2004 & 2005)

• Positive sign - issues of O&M of RWS facilities has attracted attention in Sector Programme and Sector Reform

• Historically, limited government involvement in O&M esp. in East and Southern Africa, and lesser public involvement in Western Africa

• Main approaches of O&M: Decentralisation and Privatisation

• Hasty reform without sound assessment of capacity at different levels (public, private and local) is causing confusion in some countries

Support by JICA for improved O&M Governance in Africa

• Technical cooperation support provided by JICA focusing on O&M system improvement and capacity development in 9 African countries

– Burkina Fasso– Ethiopia – Madagascar– Mozambique– Sierra Leone– Senegal– Rwanda– Tanzania– Zambia

Issues and Concerns • Inefficiency in water service delivery feared to be

caused by:– engagement of unqualified private enterprises as O&M

service providers mixed with inadequate supervision by government

– excessive retrenchment of public sector technical personnel and budget reduction, further aggravating government supervisory and technical backstopping capacity

– increased water tariff in less-populated area to justify economic feasibility of privatization of O&M services

• Culminating in reduced sustainability of water supply as well as inequitable access of safe water to the poor and the less-advantaged in the society

JICA’s Approach to Support Improved O&M Governance in Africa

In Senegal,• Supporting government policy of promoting

participatory user group (“ASUFOR”) formation by strengthening their technical and management capacity;

• Enhancing monitoring and technical backstopping capacity of the government agencies to better support ASUFOR; and

• Advocating differentiated approach of privatization according to the size and the existing O&M capacity of the community

JICA’s Approach to Support Improved O&M Governance in Africa

In Zambia,• Supporting RWS sector reform in terms of improved

O&M framework by establishing O&M guidelines to be used by all stakeholders;

• Strengthening supply chain network of handpump spare parts by entrusting municipal water corporations to function as stockist and retail shops for rural communities; and

• Training village mechanics (“area pump menders”) to enhance their technical skills of repairing handpumps

• Sound assessment of stakeholder capacity is a must before making decisions on the scope, contents and the pace of major reform in O&M system

• Provision of options for the beneficiaries to choose from is also important in terms of facility management structure and the scope and the pace of privatization

• Gradual and differentiated approach taking full recognition of the context may prove right in advancing further governance reform in RWS sector

Implications and Insights