DFID’s transport and urban infrastructure investments

We found good performance on strategic approach and supporting multilateral finance, but a mixed record in the delivery of bilateral programmes.

Score: Green/Amber
  1. Status: Completed
  2. Published: 12 October 2018
  3. Type: Performance review
  4. Subject: Trade and economic development
  5. Assessment: Green/Amber
  6. Location: Pakistan, Uganda
  7. Lead commissioner: Tina Fahm
  8. SDGs covered:No poverty, Sustainable cities and communities, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Partnerships for the goals, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Read the approach paper

Our approach

This review looked at the coherence of DFID’s overall approach to its transport and urban infrastructure work. It assessed the effectiveness of DFID’s support for transport and urban infrastructure development in partner countries, and how well it uses bilateral programmes to enhance the effectiveness and value for money of other sources of infrastructure finance.

We chose a sample of 13 projects – a third of DFID’s transport and urban infrastructure portfolio by value – for detailed review. The sample included programmes that invest directly in infrastructure, provide support for policy and institutional development, research programmes and initiatives that help mobilise other sources of infrastructure finance. We also visited three countries to interview stakeholders: Uganda, Kenya and Pakistan.

Review questions

This ICAI review assessed the following questions:

  1. Does DFID have a coherent approach to promoting economic development and poverty reduction through transport and urban infrastructure development?
  2. How effective are DFID’s bilateral transport and urban infrastructure programmes?
  3. How well does DFID use bilateral aid to enhance the effectiveness and value for money of multilateral infrastructure finance?

Timeline

Approach

Published 16 Mar 2018

Evidence gathering

Complete

Review publication

Published 12 October 2018

Government response

Published 23 November 2018

Parliamentary scrutiny

IDC hearing 13 February 2019

ICAI follow-up

23 July 2020