Management Support and Technical Analysis Services (MSTAS) Project Annual Report October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015

The project is implemented by The Pragma Corporation and its partners, with a focus on knowledge management, outreach, and monitoring and evaluation activities. During the second year of operation, from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, the MSTAS team conducted a range of activities to support the project's objectives. These included the development of a harmonized Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) for the three USAID African Trade and Investment Hubs, which defined a common system of measurement to evaluate performance and progress towards increased trade and investment. The team also conducted field work to develop a harmonized methodology for data collection for priority ACTE PMP indicators, which involved traveling to several countries in Africa to gather data and assess the effectiveness of the current broadband regulatory framework. The resulting report provided recommendations for transitioning to a new regulatory framework to support rapid private sector deployment of fiber backbone networks in underserved areas. In addition, the MSTAS team provided logistical and technical analysis support to USAID for the 2015 AGOA Forum in Gabon, which included developing technical materials, briefing notes, and talking points for senior officials. The team also hosted the first ever AGOA workshop in Angola, which aimed to facilitate access to the U.S. market utilizing duty-free provisions available under AGOA. The project's activities and results were summarized in a report, which highlighted the achievements of the MSTAS team in supporting the project's objectives. The report noted that the team's efforts had contributed to the development of a harmonized PMP, the collection of baseline data for priority ACTE PMP indicators, and the provision of logistical and technical analysis support to USAID for the AGOA Forum. The report also highlighted the importance of the project's activities in promoting trade and investment in Africa, particularly in the context of the AGOA Extension Act and the AWEP panel on developing export strategies. The MSTAS team's work in supporting the project's objectives had helped to facilitate access to the U.S. market for African exporters and to promote economic growth and development in the region. The project's geographic focus was on Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular emphasis on the East African Community and the Regional Value Chain. The project's timeframes were from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, with a focus on the second year of operation. The report concluded by noting that the MSTAS project had made significant contributions to the promotion of trade and investment in Africa, and that the team's efforts would continue to support the project's objectives in the future.