Ask The Expert - A Tale of Two Evaluations: Procurement Reform at the Development Banks

International Financial Institutions (IFIs), such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank, have played an essential role in setting standards for public procurement in developing countries for over 50 years. Through the policies and procedures governing the use of financing for works, goods and services, the IFIs have consistently promoted transparency and open competition which has benefitted the private sector in both developed and developing countries.\r
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As the procurement profession, however, has evolved to adapt to new challenges and approaches, the IFI's have realized the need for reform to ensure the best development outcomes of the projects they finance. This has led to two important evaluations at the World Bank and at the African Development Bank that set the stage for each one's policy reform efforts. A review of these evaluations, however, raises many of the issues underlying the need for reform but the recommendations fall seriously short of real change.\r
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The Webinar discusses the findings of these evaluations and the importance of taking a bolder approach to the reforms, especially regarding the need to focus on contract management and implementation.