Evaluation of the COMESA Regional Integration Support Mechanism

The Project at A Glance

The Regional Integration Support Mechanism (RISM) is a programme under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) and was finalized through a Contribution Agreement (CA) signed between the European Union (EU) Delegation in Lusaka and COMESA in November 2007. The objective of the RISM is to support the economic integration process of the Eastern Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region (ESA-IO) through the consolidation of the COMESA FTA and implementation of COMESA and EAC Customs Unions and Common Markets.

International Economics undertook a mid-term evaluation of the RISM, providing stakeholders with an overall assessment of the programme and concrete recommendations for follow-up. The project was involved eight COMESA countries – Zambia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Djibouti, Tanzania, Uganda, Seychelles, and Mauritius.

What We Found

International Economics undertook an evaluation of all technical, administrative and financial aspects of the RISM, covering the period from April 2012 onwards. The team’s independent assessment provides the decision-makers in the COMESA Secretariat, the relevant external co-operation services of the EU Delegation in Zambia, and the wider public with information on the performance of the programme so far.

Our Strategy and Impact

International Economics assessed the relevance and the coherence of the programme since April 2012, the consistency between programming and implementation for the same period, the implementation of the innovative approach of the RISM rider. Furthermore, in order to improve the current and future strategies of the current RISM programme, the evaluation focused on identifying key lessons learnt from RISM in response to the main regional economic integration-related challenges of the ESA-IO region, identifying practical and concrete recommendations for follow-up actions and providing recommendations for the preparation of the new RISM Consolidation programme.

Our Core Solutions

Governments, international donors, and the private sector face many important questions on the expected outputs and impact before, during and after the implementation of their projects. This is where International Economics Consulting’s team of experts, using innovative methodologies to collect and analyse data, can assist you in tracking the economic, social, and environmental aspects of your project.