In-depth insights

ALG has developed a new project assessment tool called Quick Check Methodology (QCM), which will help the most ambitious infrastructure development initiative in Africa —the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)— assess highly-complex transboundary projects, identify gaps and assure the quality of project proposals required to obtain much-needed financing.

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is an African Union Commission (AUC) initiative in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The aim of the Programme is to accelerate infrastructure development across the continent.

The methodology consists of an initial filter to identify project preparation gaps and help sponsors structure project information and knowledge simply and cost-effectively.

The QCM makes it possible to:

• Assist applicants in structuring project information and knowledge.
• Identify project gaps and provide advisory services to meet minimum criteria for the application for funding to PPF.
• Appraise projects with a multidimensional objective approach agreed upon with PIDA stakeholders.
• Provide applicants with a Project Concept Memorandum (PCM) that addresses project characterisation, strengths, and weaknesses to eventually make recommendations for subsequent steps before liaising with PPF.

This paper breaks down the PIDA quality label stages, Quick Check Methodology (QCM) steps, lenses, dimensions and components of the evaluation, a practical example of dimension 1 of the QCM, and also an illustrative application of this methodology.