Joint evaluation of a project to support reforms in the Jordanian water sector

AFD and KfW have supported the Jordanian water sector for several years. Most recently, both banks introduced Policy Based Loans as a co-financing instrument. The aim of this sectoral policy loan is to improve financial management of the sector, operative efficiency and cost coverage, as well as national policies and their implementation for sustainable use of water.

In January 2019 AFD and KfW employees evaluated the reform programme in Jordan. The evaluation team, consisting of two experts from KfW and two from AFD, met in Amman for this purpose with the most important participating institutions, including the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan's water authority, various water utilities, donors and embassies, scientists and private companies. Interviews with representatives of these institutions were the focus of the meeting. The team members contributed their individual expertise in the water sector and about issues relevant to reform and budget financing. Quantitative analyses of water scarcity based on consumption data from households and site visits helped create a more complete picture of the water sector.

The parties hope that this evaluation will not only reveal insights for future sector policy loans in Jordan, but also for similar reform financing in other partner countries. Initial insights from the mid-term evaluation include that reform financing can be a good supplement to investment projects in which it is possible to discuss conditions for sustainable operation with the partner. The analysis of the consumption data also revealed precise areas in which water scarcity is particularly pronounced. A detailed joint evaluation report will be published in the near future.

In Jordan, where water is scarce, the evaluation mission seemed to be a good omen for more precipitation: the Amman region unexpectedly experienced heavy snowfall, which not only made it necessary to reschedule the talks at short notice – the government even spontaneously declared the day a holiday.