The Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE), in collaboration with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and IFAD’s West and Central Africa Division, organized a final national workshop for the Mauritania Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation (CSPE), as a final step in the evaluation process.

The event took place on 1 October 2024 in Nouakchott. It entailed the participation of representatives of the Government, development partners, national non-governmental implementing partners, civil society organizations, private sector partners, beneficiaries and IFAD senior management and staff.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

•             discuss the implications of the main findings, recommendations and issues emerging from the CSPE, and of the resulting actions for the future;

•             reflect on opportunities and challenges in the IFAD-Government partnership on one hand, and in that between IFAD and other country partners on the other; and

•             clarify main points to consider for the finalization of the evaluation’s Agreement at Completion Point (ACP).

The event was opened with an introduction and welcome remarks by Mr Kouessi Maximin Kodjo, interim IOE Deputy Director, followed by a statement given (via Zoom) by Mr Bernard Hien, Regional Director, West and Central Africa Division of IFAD. The official opening speech was delivered by Moustapha Ould Sidi Mohamed, Economic Advisor in charge of Development, Acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Next, Ms Genny Bonomi, IOE Senior Evaluation Officer, presented the main findings, conclusions and recommendations of the CSPE. This was followed by a Q&A session, and a coffee break and group photo session.

The workshop resumed with a fruitful panel discussion comprising Mr Bernard Hien, Regional Director, West and Central Africa Division, IFAD; Mr Mohamed Fadel Ball, Technical Advisor, Ministry of Economy and Finance; Mr Mohamed Ahmed Benane, Technical Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty; Mr Sid Ahmed Bessid, Director General, Oasis Investment and Credit Mutuals Union (UNMICO); and Ms Aminetou Maouloud, President of the National Collective of Women Breeders and Pastoralists. Questions from the workshop attendees were taken.

Next, reflections on the future directions of IFAD’s country strategy and programme in Mauritania were delivered by Mr Marcelin Norvilus, Country Director for Mauritania, IFAD; and Mr Mohamed Ahmed Benane, Technical Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

The workshop was closed with remarks by Mr Kodjo. A closing statement was also delivered by Mr Ball.

The workshop was attended by over 60 participants.

The workshop material will be made available on this webpage in due course.