Concept Note proposed Round table of African stakeholders - AFUR

AFRICAN FORUM FOR UTILITY REGULATORS (AFUR)
CONCEPT NOTE ON PROPOSED ROUNDTABLE OF AFRICAN STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN
UTITLITY REGULATION
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The African Forum for Utility Regulators is the chosen Africa’s regulatory framework
founded on a pledge by African regulators, based on a common vision and a shared
conviction, that they have a pressing duty to eradicate poverty and to contribute to the
attainment of the Millennium Development Goals through infrastructure development.
Consequently, the primary ownership, design and implementation of the AFUR program
of action in regulation are the responsibility of the individual African regulators in the
sectors of energy, water and communications. However, it is very difficult, almost
impractical, for any central management structure, like AFUR, to effectively and
efficiently coordinate and follow up actions of individual countries. Therefore, the
Regional Regulatory Associations (RRAs), which need to be anchored on the principle of
subsidiarity to the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and bring together a
relatively limited number of country regulators, have to be acknowledged as the most
appropriate link between the AFUR and the National Regulators (NRs). The RRAs are
able to follow up more closely the actions of their respective member countries’
regulators as well as provide guidance and coordination that may lead to fast tracking of
development.
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1.2 It is based on this understanding of the central role of the RECs and their subsidiary
organisations such as the RRAs, that the African Union closely involves and works with
and through the RECs to carry out its assignment of coordinating the development and
implementation of regulation on infrastructure in close collaboration with AFUR as the
Continental body on regulation. Discussions are under way for the AU to recognize AFUR
as a Specialized Agency of the African Union. However, a recent AFUR study on
partnerships has revealed that there are some constraints that inhibit the AFUR to fulfill
its coordination and leadership role in regulation. The main constraints identified are:
Lack of clarity among some stakeholders as to what the role of AFUR is;
Lack of clarity as to what is expected of the AFUR, RRAs vis-a-vis the NRs:
Lack of alignment of RRAs programs and AFUR priorities; and
Lack of financial and technical capacity in the RRAs and AFUR.
1.3 Among the practical suggestions made to address these constraints is to hold a
roundtable of key stakeholders in regulation under the aegis of the African Union
Commission (AUC) which would allow the leadership of the RECs, the AFUR, RRAs,
Sectoral Regulatory Associations (SRAs) and others to arrive at a common understanding
of each other’s role and also work out modalities for drawing on synergies.
2. OBJECTIVE AND OUTPUTS OF THE SEMINAR
2.1 The principal objectives and hence, outputs of the roundtable are:
Agreed strategy and actions to be taken to ensure ownership of the AFUR program
in regulation by RECs, RRAs and respective national regulatory organizations;
Clarification of roles of the key stakeholders
Agreement on strategies to develop appropriate structures and capacity to enable
the RRAs, national regulatory organizations and AFUR to fulfill their respective roles
in regulation
Agreement on a coordinated approach to mobilize resources to develop capacities
of regulatory institutions and to implement programs.
3. DISCUSSION TOPICS
3.1 Five themes or topics are proposed to be discussed at the roundtable. These are
elaborated below.
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I
Roles of AFUR, RRAs, SRAs and NRs
Presentations and discussions under this topic will seek answers to the following
questions:
Is there a common understanding of what AFUR is and means to the RRAs,
SRAs and NRs If not, what actions should be taken to secure such
understanding among key players. Is there a common understanding of the
role of RRAs vis a vis the achievement of AFUR objectives and strategies at
continental level What should be done to ensure a clear elaboration and
understanding of the roles to key RECs staff and political leaders
How are the RRAs recognized as building blocks for AFUR program Are the
RRAs parts of the formal institutional framework of AFUR Is this a major
challenge and what should be done to overcome it
What should be done to ensure the RRAs and AFUR regularly share
information about progress being made and are accountable for agreed
actions
II
Role of Key Partners
There are several international, Pan-African and sub-regional (technical and
development financing) institutions which could provide technical and financial
support to enhancing the capacity of the regulatory institutions to deliver as well
as in the development and implementation of the RECs and AU/NEPAD
programs. Presentations and discussions under this topic will seek to elaborate
the support role and strategies for maximising and leveraging input/assistance of
such institutions, particularly in respect of regulatory activities.
III
Promoting ownership of AFUR in RECs (and respective member countries)
Presentations and discussions under this topic will seek answers to the following
questions:
Do the key (public and private sector) players in the RECs and respective
member countries believe or perceive that AFUR and RRAs add value to their
work and development efforts Can practical examples be given to elaborate
this If not, what advocacy actions should be made and by who
Does AFUR feature prominently in the agenda and discussions in the meetings of
the RECs organs If not what strategy should be used to ensure that this
happens
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Is there alignment between the AFUR objectives and priorities with those of the
RECs and the RRAs and respective member countries When setting RRAs
priorities, is reference made to the AFUR programs and priorities If not what
strategies should be employed to ensure that such alignment is achieved
IV
Structuring and capacity of AFUR and RRAs to fulfill roles
The presentation and discussion in this topic will aim at:
Review of the current situation regarding the AFUR and RRAs in relation to
responding to the requirements to fulfill their roles in regulation at continental
and regional level. Options for improving the situation will also be discussed and
agreed upon.
Determining the ideal situation, when the work of all staff in RECs, RRAs and
member countries relating to regulation will have a bearing on AFUR. This is
because AFUR shares the same goal as the RECs and countries in the area of
economic growth and poverty eradication. Therefore, deliberation on this will
also aim at establishing or designating AFUR contacts who will coordinate and
promote AFUR as well as champion the process towards attaining
synchronization.
Identifying sources of funding for the common activities of NRs, RRAs and AFUR
with regard to capacity building programs, and how these could best be
mobilized.
V
Targetting Subsidiarity Among Continental, Regional and National Regulators
The Presentations and discussions under this topic will seek answers to the
following questions:
Is there sufficient and properly structured coordination of all key stakeholders within
the regulation sector: How is consultation and coordination otherwise achieved and
what should be done to improve the situation
Currently, there is no structured coordination: How best can this be achieved
4. PARTICIPATION
The main target audience will be the highest decision makers in infrastructure in
regional and continental bodies, i.e.
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Director of Infrastructure and Energy at AUC, RECs Directors of Infrastructure, Heads of
RRAs, Heads of SRAs, Heads of Power Pools, Head of ATU, Head of AFREC, Head of
AMCOW Secretariat, etc
Regional Development Banks and
Regional apex private sector groups such as regional chambers of commerce
5. BUDGET AND PROJECT TEAM
The suggested high level budget for the 2-day roundtable is USD 98 685. The budget has been prepared
under the assumption that 50 participants are invited as well as a coordinator, Mr RT Mochebelele.
AFUR has secured the sponsorship of the Department of Water, South Africa, who will cover the venue,
USD 12 400 (included in the high level budget).
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