AFRICA
Liberia
Evaluation of Liberia for the Government and Economic Management Assistance Program (GEMAP) Project
Sibley begins work on a GBTI II task order to conduct an evaluation in
Liberia for the Government and Economic Management Assistance (GEMAP) program.
GEMAP is a multilateral program that has worked since 2005 to improve governance,
enhance transparency and accountability, and lay a solid foundation for a sustainable
peace in Liberia. Participants in the GEMAP agreement include the Government of Liberia,
USAID, the IMF, the World Bank, the United Nations, and the European Union, among others.
Sibley's evaluation focuses on assessing three USAID-led GEMAP initiatives implemented
by International Business Initiatives, Segura, and TRAWOCO.
Nigeria
Evaluation of USAID's MARKETS Project
Sibley International is performing an evaluation of USAID's $52 million
Maximizing Agricultural Revenue and Key Enterprises in Targeted Sites
(MARKETS) project being implemented by Chemonics International. MARKETS
aims to increase Nigeria's agribusiness competitiveness and food security
by providing services and leveraging resources to address value chain
constraints and deliver products to market more effectively.
Senegal
Midterm Evaluation Project of USAID/Senegal Economic Growth Program
The Sibley Team in collaboration with IOS Partners provided support to
the USAID/Senegal Economic Growth Office in 2008-2009 by conducting a
midterm evaluation of its economic growth program managed by International
Resources Group (IRG). The team provided technical expertise and management
in areas related to accelerated growth, increased competitiveness, and trade.
Sibley managed the assessment and the production of the final report, which
assessed IRG’s performance in 3 areas: Business Development Services, Public
Private Partnerships, and Policy Reforms.
Ghana
Evaluation of the Economic Growth Program in Ghana
In 2008, Sibley provided experts to USAID to evaluate the economic growth
program in Ghana and its impact on increasing global competitiveness. The
assessment included an in-depth look at the Trade and Investment Program for
a Competitive Export Economy (TIPCEE) program, which aimed to increase exports
in the horticulture and food crops sectors by facilitating improvements in the
business enabling environment. The assessment also evaluated the mission’s
economic growth program.
Morocco
Technical Assistance to the New Enterprise Development (NED)
As part of USAIDs New Enterprise Development project, Sibley International
explored ways of opening up private sector opportunities to the general
population in Morocco and established an educational resource for
SME development through franchising. Sibley identified existing Moroccan
businesses with the potential and the resources to be packaged as
franchises as well as potential Moroccan licensees with interest in
contracting with American or South African franchisors. We also designed
and implemented a franchising training program and one-day workshop
for Moroccan businessmen and designed a curriculum for a follow-up
training program.
Morocco
Rural Telecommunications Distribution Study
Sibley International, in cooperation with Intelecon Research, completed
a comprehensive project to design innovative strategies to deliver
phone services to widely dispersed rural communities and create small
business opportunities for entrepreneurs in these areas. The Rural
Satellite Telecommunications and Distribution Study was for a major
international telecommunications client planning to enter 15 emerging
markets over two years. The project objectives were to analyze foreseeable
roll-out methodologies for rural and remote telecommunications services,
as well as to conduct a financial/commercial (business case) analysis,
including each user group addressed, from which to make an informed,
financially-based decision regarding which rural/remote roll-out scheme
was best suited for the client's semi-fixed market
The business case analysis helped to guide the client's investments,
and also examined the viability of a franchise or licensed-based distribution
network involving a large number of locally-owned small businesses.
Studies were conducted for large, diverse markets in Brazil and Russia.
South Africa
Technical Assistance to the Black Integrated Commercial Support Network
USAID South Africa succeeded in creating several hundred SME opportunities
for formerly disadvantaged black entrepreneurs through a franchise
development program managed by Sibley. Through standardization in
training and operating systems, these firms upgraded financial controls,
staff training, and marketing practices. Pilot programs operated in
a range of sectors, including telecommunications, personal services,
automotive services, construction, and entertainment firms. The project
established over 200 franchise businesses and trained hundreds of
local small entrepreneurs in all aspects of franchise development
including contracting, operations, training, expansion, marketing,
franchisee relations and accounting.