Summary of FY 2018 MOFA’s ODA Evaluation
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the Republic of Angola (Brief Summary)
Note: The following was prepared by ODA Evaluation Division based on the report provided by the evaluation team. Full text is available here:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/evaluation/FY2018/pdfs/angola.pdf 
| Evaluators (Evaluation Team) |
Chief Evaluator | Juichi Inada Professor of the Department of International Economics, Senshu University |
| Advisor | Rumiko Murao Assistant Professor of the Graduate School of Social Design Studies, Rikkyo University |
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| Consultant | NTC INTERNATIONAL Co., Ltd. | |
| Target Period | FY 2006 - FY 2017 | |
| Evaluation Period | July 2018 - March 2019 | |
| Field Survey Country | The Republic of Angola | |
Mine risk education for local residents under the Japanese aid
Background, Objectives, and Scope of the Evaluation
Since the end of the civil war in 2002, politics of Angola have remained stable, and the country has enhanced its international presence as a regional power, including acting as a host country of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Angola has an abundance of oil and other resources, and Japanese private sector has shown interest in the country. This evaluation study was conducted to address Japan’s ODA to Angola and to provide recommendations and lessons-learned for future formulation and implementation of ODA policies.
Brief Summary of Evaluation Results
● Development Viewpoints
(1) Relevance of Policies (Rating : Highly Satisfactory)
Japan’s ODA policy to Angola is consistent with Japan’s high-level ODA policies, including the Development Cooperation Charter (2015) and ODA Charter (2003), Angola’s development needs, and international priority issues. The following was confirmed as initiatives that demonstrated Japan’s comparative advantages: well-planned human resource development using Japan’s expertise and experience, continuous assistance combining multiple schemes, and cooperation utilizing Brazilian human resources.
(2) Effectiveness of Results (Rating : Satisfactory)
From the perspective of aid amount, Japan has provided a certain level of ODA, as Japan ranks fourth with 10% of the cumulative ODA to Angola by both bilateral and multilateral donors (2006-2016). Further, the government of Japan is providing steady assistance for development issues described in the Country Assistance Policy for Angola. It has also contributed to the following: promoting industry development policies and improvement on economic and social infrastructures that support Angola’s sustainable economic growth, developing diverse human resources to support Angola’s growth, and promoting human security.
(3) Appropriateness of Processes (Rating : Satisfactory)
The formulation of Japan’s ODA policy to Angola, as well as the implementation of assistance, was mainly executed through the appropriate processes. However, issues were identified regarding the speed of the processes prior to project commencement, such as the procedures and preparations for the formulation of Japan’s ODA projects. It was also found that awareness of Japan’s ODA among the general public, as well as government officials of Angola, needed to be improved.
● Diplomatic Viewpoints
(1) Diplomatic Importance
Having been a host country of CPLP as well as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Angola is increasing its presence as a regional power of Africa. Also, the new Lourenço administration established in September 2017 has shown great interest in strengthening bilateral relations with Japan, and the importance of Japan-Angola diplomatic relations is expected to increase even further. Angola has potential in terms of economy, and there is also great importance from an economic perspective since the new Lourenço administration has shown an intention to strengthen economic relations with Japan in particular. Furthermore, Angola has achieved peace and development since the civil war, thus for Japan to support Angola in its efforts for reformation is vital from the viewpoint of stability of the Sub-Sahara African region.
(2) Diplomatic Impact
In terms of the impact of Japan’s ODA on the Japan-Angola bilateral relations, President Lourenço mentioned Japan as an important partner in his inaugural speech. Also, it has been confirmed that high-level officials of Angola have highly appraised Japan’s ODA. Regarding the impact of Japan’s ODA to Angola on Japan and Japanese people, certain effects have been confirmed from a social perspective, such as an increase in the number of people who are well-versed in Japan through the de-mining measures project implemented by Japanese NGOs using the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects. At the present stage, the economic impact of Japan’s ODA on Japanese companies in Angola has not yet been confirmed; however, Japanese companies are expected to enter Angola and make investments in the near future due to initiatives taken by the new Lourenço administration to eliminate corruption and maintain a good business environment.
Recommendations
(1) Mentioning the new PDN and other internal situations of Angola in Japan’s Country Assistance Policy for Angola and Rolling Plans
Since the inauguration of President Lourenço in 2017, Angola has been undergoing significant changes such as the formulation of a new Angola National Development Plan (PDN) (2018-2022). Thus, new details of the items proposed in Recommendations 2, 3, and 4 need to be incorporated into Japan’s Country Assistance Policy for Angola and Rolling Plans.
(2) Expanding Assistance to Rural Areas
One of the items that were strengthened in the new PDN was “Balanced development of various regions, ensuring the stability and territorial integrity of Angola,” and it is hoped that Japan will cooperate more actively in Angola’s rural areas.
(3) Utilization of Japan’s ODA Loans
Since Angola is a country with a relatively high income, it exceeds the income level for the provision of grant aid. Thus, Japan should provide assistance that makes more use of ODA loans since more suitable financial support to Angola’s development needs can be provided.
(4) Supporting the Business Investment Sector
Japan’s private investment, as well as the entry of Japanese business into Angola, is stagnating. The advancement of the business investment sector is essential for the new Lourenço administration. Taking that in mind, Japan should explore the possibility of Japan’s ODA in this sector.
(5) Strengthening Japan’s ODA Implementation Structure in Angola
It is necessary to strengthen Japan’s ODA implementation structure in Angola, taking into consideration that the number of projects and funding amounts for Japan’s ODA to Angola may increase in the near future.
(6) Strengthening of PR regarding Japan’s ODA
It is required to further reinforce PR activities for Japan’s ODA in order to increase awareness of Japan’s ODA to Angola (including the recognition of JICA).