DFID’s trade development work in Southern Africa

Our approach

This review assesses the effectiveness of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) trade development work in Southern Africa. We reviewed two programmes: the 5-year £100 million TradeMark Southern Africa (TMSA), which as due to be completed in 2014; and the £9 million regional component of the Mozambique Regional Gateway Programme (MRGP), which ends in 2016.

TMSA supports the establishment of a free trade area in Eastern and Southern Africa. It also supports the removal of obstacles to the movement of goods across borders and the development of the North-South Corridor (the road link between Durban and Dar es Salaam). MRGP supports the linking of landlocked countries along the North-South Corridor to ports in Mozambique.

We spoke to a wide range of stakeholders during our investigations, specifically including representatives of the intended beneficiaries.

Review questions

1. Objectives: What is the programme trying to achieve?
2. Delivery: Is the delivery chain designed and managed so as to be fit for purpose?
3. Impact: What is the impact on intended beneficiaries?
4. Learning: What works best and what needs improvement?