Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – April 25, 2024 – Policymakers across Africa are being encouraged to leverage digital solutions to strengthen their national development strategies. This call to action comes from the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) during a side event at the Tenth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.
The crux of the issue lies in the sheer volume of priorities identified during national planning processes. While extensive stakeholder consultations ensure inclusivity, the sheer number of goals can overwhelm implementation efforts.
“Many countries excel at identifying priorities, but the sheer number can make execution a challenge,” said Mr. Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the ECA.
To bridge this gap, the ECA has developed the Integrated Planning and Reporting Tool (IPRT). This web-based platform aims to streamline planning by offering digital tracking functionalities.
Inspiring exchange between @UN Deputy Secretary-General @AminaJMohammed and colleague Resident Coordinators from
across #Africa on accelerating transitions #ForPeopleForPlanet.
Leveraging commitments from #SDGs Summit and looking forward to Summit of the Future #ARFSD2024. pic.twitter.com/A8KKnHx5xk
— Nelson Muffuh (@nmuffuh) April 24, 2024The IPRT allows for the monitoring of national, provincial, and sectoral plans in real-time, ensuring alignment with annual budgets and international commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
“The IPRT represents a significant leap forward,” said Mr. Bartholomew Armah, Chief of Development Planning at ECA. “It allows for integrated and coherent planning, tackling the issue of disconnected frameworks and guaranteeing alignment with global commitments.”
The tool also addresses historical development disparities in countries like South Africa, as highlighted by Ms. Annette Griessel, Deputy Director General of National Planning Coordination at South Africa’s Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME).
Addressing the 10th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development #ARFSD2024 @ECA_OFFICIAL where I recalled, among others; a sense of ownership and collective responsibility to put in place institutions delivering for our citizens as we implement… pic.twitter.com/OCk5F83IAY
— Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa (@mnsanzabaganwa) April 23, 2024“Technology plays a transformative role in redressing disparities created by our past,” Ms. Griessel said. “The IPRT aligns with our national development plan and Agenda 2063, a cornerstone in building a capable developmental state.”
With deployments in over 30 African countries already underway, the ECA is actively promoting the IPRT’s wider adoption. This user-friendly platform promises to simplify performance tracking for national development indicators.
This initiative signifies a significant step towards a more efficient and data-driven approach to development planning across Africa.