FY2023 MOFA ODA Evaluation Results
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
| Chief Evaluator | NISHINO Keiko Professor, School of Policy Studies, Kwansei Gakuin University |
| Advisor | IKEDA Keiko Professor, Faculty of Global Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation, Shizuoka University |
| Consultant | IC Net Limited |
| Evaluation Period | JFY 2018 - JFY 2022 |
| Period of the Evaluation Study | April 2023 - February 2024 |
| Field Survey Country | Bangladesh |
Background, Objectives, and Scope of the Evaluation
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) conducts country evaluations as part of its policy- and program-level evaluations of Official Development Assistance (ODA) under the MOFA Organization Order and the Development Cooperation Charter. The country assistance evaluation to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh aims to evaluate Japan’s recent ODA/cooperation policies and assistance to Bangladesh based on priority areas to obtain recommendations and lessons learned for formulating and implementing Japan’s future ODA/cooperation policies toward Bangladesh. The results of this evaluation will be made public to ensure accountability to the Japanese citizens.
In principle, the targets of the Bangladesh country assistance evaluation were Japan’s ODA/cooperation policies for Bangladesh over the past five years (JFY 2018–2022) and assistance based on the policies. The projects to evaluate were selected after coordination between MOFA and the evaluation team.
In other words, in addition to the projects listed in the latest Rolling Plan for Bangladesh (2020), the “projects completed in FY 2018” and the projects adopted in “FY 2021 and FY 2022,” which are not listed in the said Rolling Plan, shall be considered as evaluation target projects. Furthermore, in light of the constraints in the evaluation period and evaluation resources, the projects of high importance among the evaluation target projects above were selected as “major projects,” and the status of the realization of inputs, outputs, and outcome were particularly checked in detail.
Summary of Evaluation Results
● Development Viewpoints
(1) Relevance of Policies
The projects implemented during the evaluation period were highly consistent with Japan’s higher-level policies (the Development Cooperation Charter and the Country Development Cooperation Policy for Bangladesh), the development needs of the country and its people as expressed in Perspective Plan of Bangladesh and Five-Year Plan, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other international priority issues. Interviews with implementing agencies and other donors clearly confirmed Japan’s comparative advantage in implementing projects.
(Evaluation Result: Highly Satisfactory)
(2) Effectiveness of Results
Undoubtedly, Japan is a major donor and its ODA has contributed to the social and economic development of Bangladesh. This contribution is particularly significant in infrastructure, power, and transportation. In human development, interviews with donors confirmed Japan’s considerable contribution to the education and health sectors. The performance of projects in other areas described in the Rolling Plan is generally favorable.
In terms of evaluation items, inputs for Bangladeshi assistance were appropriately allocated to areas of need, and outputs were generally appropriate by achieving the expected results. Moreover, the outcomes (goals of each project) were generally in line with the expectations.
(Evaluation Result: Satisfactory)
(3) Appropriateness of Processes
The Country Development Cooperation Policy for Bangladesh and other aid policies are formulated through extensive discussions with the partner country and relevant stakeholders, and the process is appropriate. The policy implementation process is also appropriate regarding the degree to which the needs of the partner country are understood and regarding the implementation of detailed monitoring at the project level. There are no particular problems with the aid implementation structure, and there is good communication and coordination among various aid actors, including donors, international organizations, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Furthermore, consideration and ingenuity are given to the partner country’s characteristics and peculiarities in project implementation.
(Evaluation Result: Satisfactory)
*Ratings: Highly Satisfactory; Satisfactory; Partially Satisfactory; Unsatisfactory
● Diplomatic Viewpoints
(1) Diplomatic Importance
Japan’s assistance to Bangladesh is highly relevant to the MDGs/SDGs and is of great importance to the international community. Japan’s assistance over the past 50 years has contributed to Bangladesh’s development, and its bilateral relationship with Bangladesh is extremely close, as Japan is regarded as the largest bilateral development partner. Moreover, the Government of Bangladesh’s tough stance against terrorism has helped ensure the safety of Japanese residents in the country. Japan’s technical cooperation implemented in recent years has also contributed to the safety of the people in both countries.
(2) Diplomatic Impact
Japan’s continuous support of Bangladesh has led to benefits in the form of Bangladesh’s support and solidarity with Japan in the international community. Furthermore, the exchange of human resources between the two countries at various levels through the implementation of diverse projects, coupled with the success of the projects, has fostered a sense of familiarity and friendship with Japan in Bangladesh. Furthermore, ODA projects in Bangladesh have contributed to ensuring the peace and security of Japan and the safety of Japanese citizens and have a ripple effect on the Japanese economy.
Recommendations and Lessons Learned, Based on the Evaluation Results
Recommendations
(1) Accelerate economic growth that benefits all citizens and low-income groups in particular, by continuing to expand and improve the quality of economic infrastructure, and supporting the upgrading and diversification of industry and employment associated with economic growth.
(2) Spread the results of strengthening administrative capacity and systems at the central level throughout the country by strengthening commitment and ownership in central ministries and the foundation for local deployment (systems and budgetary allowances).
(3) Scrutinize and strengthen the monitoring of project activities in the direction of contributing to gender equality at the project-formulation stage so that the activities can more actively contribute to the reduction of gender disparities through the empowerment of women. In particular, strengthen women’s empowerment in employment and governance.
(4) It is both meaningful and possible to introduce program-level evaluation. In the actual evaluation, it would also be effective to consider sector programs in which other donors participate rather than limiting the program’s scope to cooperation programs in Japan’s “Rolling Plan.” In the future, further methodology development is desirable; for example, by creating Theory of Change (ToC) for each sector at the program planning stage, confirming the position of each project in the sector, and establishing indicators.
Lessons Learned
(1) Improved durability of facilities through quality infrastructure construction and quality maintenance capabilities
(2) Comprehensive economic empowerment support for women that is accessible to beneficiaries
(3) Synergy effects of connecting urban and rural roads
(4) Synergy effects of collaboration between Japanese NGOs and JICA projects
(5) Increasing farm income through loans and technical assistance to small farmers
National Power Transmission Development Project which constructed transmission facilities in the entire Bangladesh (Source: JICA, ODA visualization website)