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