Malawi to benefit from World Bank's ICT initiative: Experiences from other countries

RCIP PHASE 2 COUNTRIES


BURUNDI
Communications Infrastructure Project (CIP)
Despite the recent liberalization in the Burundi telecommunications sector, services remain costly and inefficient, thus making the cost of doing business very high. Teledensity remains poor at 3% and more than 90% of subscribers are concentrated in the urban areas. More needs to be done, both to improve the regulatory environment in which the development of the sector takes place and to develop the basic infrastructure to enable operators to extend their services to rural areas. Indeed, the lack of national transmission backbone networks is hampering the development of ICT services in Burundi, with virtually no access to the public network outside of the main towns. The core backbone will significantly facilitate the task of the telecommunications operator in providing last mile connectivity.
The development of such infrastructure to connect the population but also government institutions and the development of e-applications will be the basis for better performing, efficient administration, for more transparency, and ultimately for better governance.
The Burundi Communications Infrastructure Project will focus on providing:
• Technical assistance, capacity building and Monitoring & Evaluation support to MTPT and ARCT in the areas of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks, formulation of Public Private Partnership arrangement for the development of national backbone infrastructure, design of capacity purchase contracts, environment, communications, etc.
• Support for (i) establishment of a virtual landing station and an internet exchange point, (ii) the rollout of a national backbone as part of a PPP arrangement (and in cooperation with the European Investment Bank), (ii) purchase of capacity for targeted users (iv) financing the Governments’ virtual communications network and (v) the extension of ICT coverage in rural areas.
• Initial support for the preparation work for eGovernment applications.
A more detailed project description for the Burundi Communications Infrastructure Project can be found here.
More information on Burundi:
World Bank Burundi website
Country Brief
Country Assistance Strategy
Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
ICT At-a-Glance Table
Burundi and the Millennium Development Goals
Doing Business in Burundi
Public Information Center
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KENYA
Transparency and Communications Infrastructure Project (TCIP)
The Government of Kenya has launched a short-term governance action plan to accelerate transparency and accountability measures and to provide the enabling environment for private sector-led growth, particularly in the ICT ector, where Kenya has been a regional leader. Within its "Framework for improving ICT", Kenya is seeking to further liberalize the ICT sector and create the enabling environment for private sector participation (PPP) and developing its e-government initiative.
The Kenya Transparency & Communications Infrastructure Project will focus on providing:
• Technical assistance which will allow the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC), the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), the eGovernment Directorate at the Office of the President, the Kenya Education Network Trust (KENET) and the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) to accelerate reforms and ensure that TCIP activities are carried out in a sound and enabling environment. The support will focus on areas of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks, formulation of Public Private Partnership arrangements, formulation of disbursement and governance mechanisms for key TCIP activities, design of capacity purchase contracts, scaling up the Government Information Portal, classification of Government data, environment studies, communications capability, etc.
• Support for (i) financing capacity purchase schemes for targeted users (Government users, universities, business process outsourcing industry), (ii) financing the Governments’ virtual communications network, (iii) scaling-up of successfully piloted Digital Village initiative, and, (iv) encourage the development of SMS and Interactive Voice response (IVR) e-Services
• Support for the roll-out of key eGovernment applications.
A more detailed project description for the Kenya Transparency and Communications Infrastructure Project can be found here.
More information on Kenya:
World Bank Kenya website
Fact Sheet
Country Brief
Country Assistance Strategy
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
ICT At-a-Glance Table
Kenya and the Millennium Development Goals
Doing Business in Kenya
Public Information Center
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MADAGASCAR
Communications Infrastructure Project (CIP)
The Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) places connected infrastructure (including telecoms), as one of its eight engagements. Madagascar’s participation in RCIP would allow it to respond to the priorities identified in the MAP in ensuring an efficient and affordable communication. For example, the MAP places a special emphasis in ensuring that all urban and rural areas are covered by a reliable, accessible, affordable communication system and that businesses will be able to communicate throughout the country. The deployment of a national backbone and the development of Universal Access in rural areas will ensure there is wider geographical coverage and better access to services. The MAP further establishes that these objectives will be achieved by promoting partnerships with the private sector to provide new and better infrastructure, which is fully in line with the proposed approach.
The Madagascar Communications Infrastructure Project will focus on providing:
• Technical assistance, capacity building and Monitoring & Evaluation support to MTPC and ARTEC in the areas of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks, formulation of Public Private Partnership arrangement for the development of national backbone infrastructure, design of capacity purchase contracts, environment, communications, etc.
• Support for (i) establishment of a virtual landing station and an internet exchange point, (ii) the rollout of a national backbone as part of a PPP arrangement (and in cooperation with the European Investment Bank), (ii) purchase of capacity for targeted users
More information on Madagascar:
World Bank Madagascar website
Country Brief
Country Assistance Strategy
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
ICT At-a-Glance Table
Madagascar and the Millennium Development Goals
Doing Business in Madagascar
Public Information Center
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RCIP PHASE 2 COUNTRIES




MALAWI
As a landlocked country, Malawi relies heavily on good cross-border and national backbone connectivity to source its international capacity and for improved access to communications. Celtel, TMN and MTL (among others) are all developing backbone facilities, in particular in the south of the country and between Blantyre and Lilongwe, where profitability is higher. However, no backbone facilities are planned for the north of the country, cross-border links are limited, and access and affordability need improvement throughout the territory.
The government of Malawi has expressed interest in participating in RCIP and discussions are currently underway to define priorities for funding under the program. The project will likely contribute to covering gap financing for the roll-out of backbone networks north of Mzuzu, in partnership with private sector operators, as well as the establishment of a virtual landing point in Blantyre, the purchase of capacity for targeted users and the development of selected eGovernment applications.
The initial estimation of this project is in the order of $20-24m. The project is expected to start in 2008.
More information on Malawi:
World Bank Malawi website
Country Brief
Country Assistance Strategy
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
Comprehensive Development Framework
ICT At-a-Glance Table
Malawi and the Millennium Development Goals
Public Information Center
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MOZAMBIQUE
The Telecommunications sector in Mozambique has experienced strong growth over the last few years after a wave of reforms introduced after 2000. Access has grown dramatically and availability of infrastructure has improved.
The Government of Mozambique, recognizing that ICTs can be a key contributor for regional integration and economic growth, is discussing options for participating in RCIP. The main thrust of the project in Mozambique will be to enable citizens and government to efficiently make use of the existing and future infrastructure at affordable rates. The project will also help lay the foundation for expanded and interoperable eGovernment services.
The initial estimation of this project is in the order of $15-18m. Discussions are currently underway to define priorities for funding under the RCIP program. The project is expected to start in 2008.
More information on Mozambique:
World Bank Mozambique website
Country Brief
Country Partnership Strategy
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
ICT At-a-Glance Table
Malawi and the Millennium Development Goals
Development Information Center
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RWANDA
The Government of Rwanda intends to transform the economy of Rwanda from one primarily based on agriculture to one based on services. It sees ICT as a key enabler of this transformation and has made several major steps towards encouraging the development of the ICT industry and the use of ICT-based applications. As part of this strategy, the Government is discussing its participartion to the Regional Communications Infrastructure Program.
Based on Rwanda's IDA grant status and the IDA financing available to Rwanda, the RCIP Rwanda operation will be structured as an IDA grant of about US$15m.
Discussions are focusing on the Government of Rwanda’s priorities for the inclusion of activities eligible for financing under the RCIP Program. These include co-financing of national backbone elements in the context of Public Private Partnerships, financing of international capacity purchase schemes for targeted user groups, capacity-building for the regulatory authority and relevant Government's institutions.
RITA has been chosen as the lead implementation agency for the RCIP Rwanda operation, building on RITA's experience for the on-going implementation of the eRwanda project (eRwanda is a related Government of Rwanda initiative also supported by the World Bank).
RCIP Rwanda will be submitted for approval by the Board of the World Bank on May 22, 2008 and should become effective by August 2008. Documentation related to this operation will be posted on this website as they become publicly available.
More information on Rwanda:
World Bank Rwanda website
Country Brief
Country Assistance Strategy
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
Comprehensive Development Framework
ICT At-a-Glance Table
Rwanda and the Millennium Development Goals
Public Information Center
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The Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program is open to Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, DRC, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, provided these countries are eligible for IDA or IBRD financing.

Country Assistance Strategy (CAS)

Background on Country Assistance Strategy
The Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is the most important World Bank country document. It is tailored to the needs and circumstances of each country and lays down the World Bank Group's development priorities, as well as the level and type of assistance the Bank will provide for a period of three years.
The CAS preparation is a participatory process. Before the adoption, key elements of the strategy are discussed with government representatives; and to ensure the widest possible involvement, public dialogues are also held, with Internet-based discussions taking place in many countries.

However, the CAS is not a negotiated document. Any differences between the country's own agenda and the Bank's strategy are highlighted in the CAS document. A progress report is issued in the intervening year. More information is available at the World Bank CAS website.


Malawi CAS ─ 2007-2010

The support that the World Bank plans to provide to Malawi from 2007-2010 is outlined in the 4th Country Assistance Strategy (PDF). The CAS supports the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS 2006-2011) whose focus is to reduce poverty through sustained economic growth and infrastructure development. The MDGS prioritizes six key areas that are the basis for Malawi’s economic growth, namely: agriculture and food security; irrigation and water development; transport infrastructure development; energy generation and supply; integrated rural development; and prevention and management of nutrition disorders, and HIV/AIDS.

The CAS supports the MGDS by focusing on the achievement of four outcomes:
CAS Outcome Related MGDS Goal

1. Improve smallholder agricultural productivity and integration into agro-processing.

Medium term economic growth through agriculture and agro-processing. Decrease need for food aid.
2. Put in place a foundation for longer term economic growth through improved infrastructure and investment climate.
Increase private sector led growth and competitiveness in regional and international markets.
3. Decrease vulnerability at the household level especially from HIV/AIDS and malnutrition.
Management and prevention of nutrition disorders, HIV and AIDS.
4. Sustain improvements in fiscal discipline, budget execution, and accountability of the civil service. Good governance.

In the 4th CAS, the Bank seeks to support Malawi through projects identified by Malawi as key to meeting its development goals. The Bank will also support policy dialogue by gathering data and producing analytical studies on economic and social development. The Bank will also collaborate with other multilateral and bilateral partners to co-ordinate the provision of development assistance.

Previous CAS:

The FY04-06 CAS (PDF) was a transitional program built on strengthening economic management and achieving macroeconomic stability; establishing a platform for sustainable poverty reducing growth; and supporting improved service delivery and expanded safety nets.

Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF)
Background on Comprehensive Development Framework
Eliminating poverty, reducing inequity, and improving opportunity for people in low- and middle-income countries are the World Bank Group's central objectives. The Comprehensive Development Framework is an approach by which countries can achieve these objectives. It emphasizes the interdependence of all elements of development—social, structural, human, governance, environmental, economic, and financial. The CDF advocates:

A holistic long-term strategy

The country in the lead, both "owning" and directing the development agenda, with the Bank and other partners each defining their support in their respective business plans

Stronger partnerships among governments, donors, civil society, the private sector, and other development stakeholders in implementing the country strategy

A transparent focus on development outcomes to ensure better practical success in reducing poverty.
The CDF is the foundation for the new partnership betweeen developed and developing countries to achieve improvements in sustainable growth and poverty reduction that will help countries achieve the MDGs, (see The Monterrey Consensus, 2002, PDF). The CDF approach, operationalized through PRSPs in low-income countries, provides the common foundation for implementing this new partnership at the country level. To learn more about the CDF, visit the CDF web site.
Malawi and the CDF
The Malawi PRSP (PDF) for FY04-FY06 incorporates elements of the CDF principles. The strategy is comprehensive, coherent with a results-oriented strategic framework. The consultative process through which it was developed has led to country ownership of the strategy. For more information, please refer to the Malawi PRSP (PDF, 4 MB).


Millennium Development Goals
1990 1995 2000 2007
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (%) .. 71 71 72
Employment to population ratio, ages 15-24, total (%) .. 47 48 49
GDP per person employed (annual % growth) .. 18 -1 4
Income share held by lowest 20% .. .. 4.8 ..
Malnutrition prevalence, weight for age (% of children under 5) .. .. 21.5 18.4
Poverty gap at $1.25 a day (PPP) (%) .. .. 46 ..
Poverty headcount ratio at $1.25 a day (PPP) (% of population) .. .. 83 ..
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) .. .. .. 29
Vulnerable employment, total (% of total employment) .. .. .. ..
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) .. .. 71 82
Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15-24) .. .. 82 84
Persistence to last grade of primary, total (% of cohort) .. .. 39 36
Primary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) 27 48 66 55
Total enrollment, primary (% net) .. .. 99 88
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) 10 .. 8 14
Ratio of female to male enrollments in tertiary education .. .. 37 51
Ratio of female to male primary enrollment 82 89 96 104
Ratio of female to male secondary enrollment .. .. 75 83
Share of women employed in the nonagricultural sector (% of total nonagricultural employment) 10.5 11.3 .. ..
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Immunization, measles (% of children ages 12-23 months) 81 90 73 83
Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) 124 120 103 71
Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000) 209 202 170 111
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) .. .. 160 135
Births attended by skilled health staff (% of total) .. .. 56 54
Contraceptive prevalence (% of women ages 15-49) .. .. 31 42
Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) .. .. .. 1100
Pregnant women receiving prenatal care (%) .. .. .. 92
Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49) .. .. 30 ..
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
Children with fever receiving antimalarial drugs (% of children under age 5 with fever) .. .. 27 25
Condom use, population ages 15-24, female (% of females ages 15-24) .. .. 9 ..
Condom use, population ages 15-24, male (% of males ages 15-24) .. .. 28 ..
Incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people) 258 390 425 346
Prevalence of HIV, female (% ages 15-24) .. .. .. 8.4
Prevalence of HIV, male (% ages 15-24) .. .. .. 2
Prevalence of HIV, total (% of population ages 15-49) 2.1 12.1 13.5 11.9
Tuberculosis cases detected under DOTS (%) .. 42 44 41
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
CO2 emissions (kg per PPP $ of GDP) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Forest area (% of land area) 41 40 38 36
Improved sanitation facilities (% of population with access) 46 51 55 60
Improved water source (% of population with access) 41 52 63 76
Marine protected areas, (% of surface area) .. .. .. ..
Nationally protected areas (% of total land area) .. .. .. 19.5
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development
Aid per capita (current US$) 53 43 38 53
Debt service (PPG and IMF only, % of exports, excluding workers' remittances) 28 24 25 2
Internet users (per 100 people) 0.0 .. 0.1 1.0
Mobile cellular subscriptions (per 100 people) 0 0 0 8
Telephone lines (per 100 people) 0 0 0 1
Other
Fertility rate, total (births per woman) 6.9 6.6 6.2 5.6
GNI per capita, Atlas method (current US$) 180 160 150 250
GNI, Atlas method (current US$) (billions) 1.7 1.6 1.7 3.5
Gross capital formation (% of GDP) 23.0 17.4 13.6 26.0
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) 49 48 46 48
Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) .. .. 64 72
Population, total (millions) 9.4 10.1 11.6 13.9
Trade (% of GDP) 57.2 78.5 60.9 68.5
Source: World Development Indicators database

Figures in italics refer to periods other than those specified.
Page: Country: Malawi Row: Series Column: Time
Note: In some cases the data are for earlier or later years than those stated. Goal 1 targets: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day. Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. Goal 2 target: Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. Goal 3 target: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005 and to all levels of education no later than 2015. Goal 4 target: Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate. Goal 5 target: Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio. Goal 6 targets: Have halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the spread of HIV/AIDS. Have halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the incidence of malaria and other major diseases. Goal 7 targets: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources. Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water. By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers. Goal 8 targets: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system. Address the Special Needs of the Least Developed Countries. Address the Special Needs of landlocked countries and small island developing states. Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term. In cooperation with developing countries, develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth. In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable, essential drugs in developing countries. In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.