1. ACE –WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA
MID TERM RESULTS AND KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

2. CONTENTS Key results highlighted Key factors contributing to success
Key areas of improvements and challenges
Key MTR recommendations for discussion
Key operations improvements

3. 1. Strong results at mid-term!
The results-based financing model gives strong incentives for performance
4 centres have international accreditation-more to come!
Growing regional student enrolment- ACE phd’s graduated at Uni Port Harcourt in Nigeria in Petroleum studies
Revenue generation through competitive grants and private sector donations
Pushing for industry internships
Good dynamic teams, strong support, hard working
Range and diverse ACEs
Redeemers University from Nigeria-only testing center in all of Africa for Ebola virus!
UGB Gaston Berger-international center for mathematics in Africa
new centers such as West Africa Center for Infectious Pathogens at the University of Ghana,
previously did not exist
high quality education and research center
107 MSc and PhD students enrolled, up from 20 students annually
won bilateral competitive funding of 5 million pounds
international accreditation for its biology program.
strengthening of strong existing centers such as 2iE in water engineering and management

4. competitive selection process
2. Key factors of success
Strong pro-active Bank/AAU/Govt team crucial in solving bottle necks
competitive selection process
central to selecting strong teams, leaders and institutions.
However still some difficulty with a number of institutions
Pro-active governmental, AAU and World Bank supervision solve problems and greatly facilitate centre progress.

5. More regional collaboration
3. Key areas of improvement/strengthening
More regional collaboration
University industry/employer linkages
effective funds utilization/investment
Formulation of DLIs do not have to be a “one size fits all approach”
Governance and project management structures
Challenges in obtaining international accreditation processes.
Faculty motivation and incentives

6. 4.Key MTR Recommendations
2. Continue strong implementation support centers
role of the national project steering committee/national focal points critical.
Cote d’ Ivoire, with recent mission in April 2017 addressing some of the disbursement challenges facing the centers.
Nigeria faced shortage of dollars affected the Nigerian centers’ functioning, however, the NUC worked directly with the ACEs to pay major purchases with suppliers directly.
3. Improve the DLI verification process
1st verification exercise complete. 
2nd verification exercise began in February 2017
Verification of first batch of DLI 2.8 initiated
Key improvements:
importance of good data submitted by the centers
better communicate the process of the verification early
undertake regular communication and coordination with Technopolis on the student verification process
communicate early the process and enhance the supervision of the implementation of the verification of DLI 2.8.
1.Improve funds utilization
around half of the ACEs need to increase funds utilization.
accelerate implementation of big purchases of equipment and rehabilitation/civi l works  

7. 4. Potential moderate and gradual fund reallocation for less performing centers
A very small number of centers have challenges in implementation for various reasons-for instance consistent governance challenge
These small set of centers have received significant support and review by AAU/Bank and government teams
Any fund reduction will be led by the national review committee of the country and any relocation will be within country
Principles of reduction will be based on :
Proportion of achieved results
Proportion of fund utilization
Consistent failure to take on key recommendation following supervision visits.

8. Proportion of results achieved (%) Disbursed amount
ACE
Current Grant Amount
Proportion of results achieved (%)
Disbursed amount
Funds utilized (per Dec 2016 IFR)
Committed amount (to be provided by the centers)
Proposed reduction (if any)-discussion to be led by the national review committees 1
2iE 57 30 28 2
ACEGID 32 16 3
ACENTFDB
2,600,000 13 4
ACEPRD 23
 12 8 5
CEADESE 25 6
CEA-MITIC 44 21 15 7
CEFTER 37 10 11
CERHI 24 9
CERSA 22 20
CETIC
DRYLAND AGRIC 19 12
KNUST 27
OAU-OAK PARK
10. 14
PAMI
WACCBIP 51 34
WACCI 17
CEA-SAMEF 18
CEA-SMA
CEFOR

9. 5. Key improvements in ACE Operations Manual
Improvements to DLI definitions:
DLI on enrollment of MSC/PHD and internships
Short term students must participate in a program of at least 40 hours in order to be eligible. Faculty in the ACE is ineligible as short term students.
DLI on internships
Only students in master and PhD programs (and faculty) are eligible for the internship results. Hence, short term students are ineligible.
An agreement to evaluate internship DLI for health sector given challenges experiences with the health centers in internship. Proposal is to include applied research institutions as eligible internship for health centers.
DLI on revenue generation-adjustment to be more flexible to include competitive funds
Externally generated funds from other donors/development partners generated through competitive process is found as eligible for instance research grants or other funds that have been won through competitive process.
DLI on quality and accreditation
Specific amounts for national accreditation DLI will now be maximum at $200,000 for the center following achievement of national accreditation
For gap assessment the project will also allow for a maximum of $200,00 for the center following successful completion of gap assessment following agreed standards with WB
Consider adjustment/reallocation of Procurement DLI 4
Given that no centre has achieved DLR 4.2 on timeliness of procurement, it is proposed that this DLI (worth $400,000 be removed/reallocated to another DLR).

10. 5. Key improvements in ACE Operations Manual
Improvements in M&E processes
Introduced specific M&E Templates for DLI Verification
Introduced section IV on verification process.
Introduced specific section detailing on milestones for DLI 2.8 for all ACEs
Updates on Eligible Expenditure Definitions
Updated EEP definitions for Ghana centers

11. Can ACEs SURVIVE without being INNOVATIVE ?