Client: United States Agency for International Development

1998-2000, T&M

CARANA conducted an assessment of the impact and effectiveness of USAID initiatives to reform selected infrastructure sectors, in particular policy and regulatory frameworks. The project began by looking at telecommunications and electricity in Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica). The assessment was broadened as other regional bureaus and Missions indicated interest in having specific infrastructure projects included and eventually covered Southern Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and ENI. Efforts were made to include diverse types of USAID interventions. The information for each case study was based on interviews (with USAID, operators, regulators, users, and investors) and information gathering during one-week field trips as well as follow-up interviews and data-gathering. The analysis draws out lessons learned from these cases, with a focus on:

• The catalysts for reform

• The sequencing of reform initiatives

• The targeting and timing of USAID participation

• The role of government

• The impact of reform

• The common challenges facing countries addressing the complex issues of infrastructure reform and development

The results were presented in a final report and discussed at a workshop in Washington, DC. In addition, USAID Global Bureau’s Center for Economic Growth and Agriculture Development (EGAD) and CARANA hosted a virtual conference on USAID involvement in infrastructure reform from August 16 to September 12, 1999.