The EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa has the merit of being a flexible financial tool, but its objectives are too broad and its implementation and monitoring could be improved, according to a report by the European Court of Auditors published on Wednesday 5 December.
Launched in November 2015 at the EU/Africa Special Summit in Valletta to strengthen long-term stability and address the root causes of irregular migration from Africa (see EUROPE 11414), this trust fund is endowed with €4.1 billion to finance activities in 26 countries in three regions (Sahel and Lake Chad, Horn of Africa, North Africa).
On the basis of an audit of the projects in Niger and Libya, the Court notes that, because of its flexibility, this fund has made it possible to provide support in many areas (food, education, health, security, sustainable development) by launching projects more quickly than would have been possible under traditional development aid. This tool has accelerated contract signatures and advance payments, according to the auditors.
Another positive point is that the general wording of the objectives has made it possible to adapt aid to diverse situations. However, this characteristic is proving to be a barrier to guiding action in the three regions or measuring its impact.
The auditors therefore recommend that the European Commission improve the quality of the objectives, revise the project selection procedures and take measures to speed up implementation and improve monitoring of these projects.
The report notes that the Commission did not comprehensively analyse and quantify needs, specify which crises the fund was meant to address or define the means at its disposal. This limits its ability to demonstrate that the right priorities have been identified, and that the actions approved are the most relevant to address them.
In addition, the pooling of donor resources and capacities is not yet sufficiently effective, according to the Court of Auditors. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)