Programme priorities for Eastern and Southern Africa Ides de Willebois Director of Eastern and Southern Africa Division, PMD April th Replenishment

Overview of the region Strong but uneven growth average GDP >6%; 1980s and 1990s average GDP <2% - COMESA average GDP 9.1%; SADC average GDP 6.3%; SACU average GDP 3.9% Poverty in countries “on-track” or “slightly off” achieving MDG1; 7 countries are “slipping back” and 5 countries are “far behind” achieving MDG1 - Some 70% of the population are living in rural areas; and some 50% of these are defined as poor - More than 100 million people live in poverty in rural areas - Concentrated among women and disadvantaged 21 IFAD eligible borrowing member countries - Ongoing IFAD programmes in 16 countries - 14 highly concessional term lending countries; 1 intermediate lending term country; 3 ordinary term lending countries

Major constraints Physical conditions Agro-ecological diversity, climate (change), soil fertility, water Inputs Land, seeds, fertilisers, (skilled) labour Infrastructure Roads, markets, communications Services Marketing, finance, extension, research Institutional capacity Land reform, price and marketing reform

Thematic priorities Agricultural productivity and competitiveness Technology Land and water Input and output markets Rural development and diversification Off-farm employment and enterprise development Rural financial services Farmers’ organisations Gender, women and youth

Thematic priorities Policy and partnerships Paris Declaration 2005 and Accra Agenda for Action 2008 African Union and NEPAD/CAADP One UN Initiative and Rome-based agencies IFIs (especially AfDB and World Bank) Private sector and private foundations (especially AGRA)

Expected results More resources Programme of work: $400m → $600m Better country programmes, design and implementation New and revised COSOPs; support of COs and CTs; co-financing with IFIs and private foundations Direct supervision Enhanced design, QE/QA; better loan-grant portfolio linkages Knowledge management and innovation Sustainability Greater outreach Beneficiaries: 8-10 million 2009 → 15 million 2012