EAGER [equity and growth through economic research] mid-term evaluation with follow-on activity implications

Interim evaluation covers the period 1995-2/99 vs. a PACD of 9/99. The strategy of EAGER, which was implemented by a consortium of U.S. and African research organizations led by Associates for International Research and Development (AIRD) and the Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID), was to pair African and expatriate researchers and require them to find local policymakers who would oversee the research to ensure that the results would be of real use in policymaking. In general, the cooperative agents are conducting excellent research and producing excellent results. By early 1998, AIRD and HIID were involved in more than 50 research studies with some 200 researchers, and a number of important policy changes are at least partly attributable to their work. For example, the Government of Mali revoked an export tax on raw hides and skins after an EAGER-funded study publicized the costs of the tax to the hides and skins industry and to the national economy. Similarly, the Government of Madagascar eliminated the export tax on vanilla following the recommendations of a project study. In Tanzania, after an EAGER study demonstrated the enormous size of the small-scale mining sector and a correlation between high taxes and a high incidence of smuggling, the Minister of Energy and Minerals abandoned plans to launch a police attack on gold and gem smugglers and instead eliminated almost all taxes on the miners. At this stage of EAGER, it is not possible to point out the policy effects of all the research components, because in many cases research is still underway. Also, some effects might not be realized until after the end of EAGER because of the long-term nature of actions taken in response to recommendations. Overall, USAID was correct in assuming that enough high-quality African professionals had become available to participate as partners with Americans in a wide range of policy- related research, and that many senior African policymakers had become aware of their need for research results. The EAGER experience points the way to the design of an EAGER II that will take advantage of the recent increase in the research-management abilities of African institutions partly funded by USAID, both directly and through the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). Major lessons learned are as follows: (1) If African researchers find their relationship with expatriates unequal, research quality is jeopardized because the African researchers cannot embrace the work. The greater the degree of ownership, the greater the African researchers' commitment and concentration. (2) The use of the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) has brought policymakers into the research process early enough to permit them to offer advice on implementation and to serve as informed advocates for the researchers' recommendations. If they are to remain sufficiently involved, however, PAC members must be told of setbacks and delays in the research along with research results. (3) When EAGER was designed, few African research institutions were ready to manage all the elements in the research process. Today, research institutions in five or six countries have the potential to play a leading role in managing the African end of joint research. (4) The more senior and experienced the researcher, the stronger his or her interest in joint research of the type EAGER intended. (5) To be effective, policy research must be timely. If African researchers do not have a sound reputation at home, their research results will not be credible to the policymakers. (6) Policy Briefs appear to be a powerful tool for disseminating research results, but researchers have been slow to produce them. Interim Policy Briefs for the PAC could provide notice of policy change and would keep PAC members involved. (7) EAGER's biannual workshops have brought together current and prospective researchers and have been highly effective in helping participants improve their own work and understand the work of their peers. The workshops are also needed to help African researchers in different countries share inter-country comparisons and analysis. Includes recommendations for EAGER II.