December 6, 2023 –The Joint Review has been organized by the Ministry of Finance and the World Bank, in the Ministry of Finance meeting hall, aimed at jointly reviewing the status of Basic Services Delivery, and Implementation of the Ethiopia Social Accountability Program (ESAP3).   

Her Excellency Semereta Sewasew, the State Minister of Finance, in her opening remarks, said the current JRIS is undertaken at a time when the ministry is preparing for the closure of the Enhancing Shared Prosperity through Equitable Service program on May 31, 2024, and announcing the launching of the successor program known as The Human Capital Operation (HCO) that has already been effective since November 8, 2023.

Her Excellency, in her speech, highlighted “With this program we have attained notable results in improving service delivery and strengthening accountability systems in the health, education, water, rural roads, and agriculture sectors at the decentralization levels, although the progress and results have been affected mainly with the outbreak of COVID and the conflict in various parts of the country”.

The state minister also appreciated all the implementing and verifying institutions for their unreserved efforts to speed up the processes for the timely submission of evidence-based reports. She has also thanked the development partners for their financial and technical support.

On behalf of the Basic Service Delivery Joint Working Group and the Ethiopia Social Accountability Program (ESAP3) Development Partners, The World Bank representative, also said, despite the continued concurrent challenges in the country, encouraging service delivery outcomes were recorded in education, health, water, and agriculture sectors.

The federal & regional government’s representatives and participants from developmental partners including the World Bank are attending the JRIS. During the three days of deliberation, from December 6-8, 2023, the status of all program activities is expected to be reviewed, and the lessons and experiences could be used for the new Human Capital Operation (HCO) and other programs to be designed and implemented in the future.

The Government of Ethiopia with financial support from Development Partners including the World Bank has implemented the Enhancing Shared Prosperity through Equitable Service (ESPES) program in three phases since September 2015.