A Results-Based Approach to Higher Education Transformation
The Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) project has redefined higher education financing in Africa, ensuring that investments translate into tangible improvements in academic quality, research output, and regional collaboration. At the heart of this transformation is the project’s results-based financing model, which ties funding directly to verifiable achievements.
During the 12th ACE Impact Regional Workshop, held virtually on October 22, 2024, the critical process of verifying project outcomes continued to take center stage, with experts and stakeholders reviewing progress, challenges, and the road ahead.
Results-Based Financing: Driving Impact with Accountability
Unlike traditional funding models, where resources are allocated upfront, ACE Impact operates on a performance-driven approach. Universities receive funding only when they achieve specific, pre-agreed Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs), measurable goals designed to enhance the quality, relevance, and developmental impact of postgraduate education.
The Association of African Universities (AAU, serving as the Regional Facilitation Unit (RFU) alongside the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and independent evaluators such as Technopolis and subject-matter experts, oversee the rigorous monitoring and verification process. This independent assessment ensures that reported results are valid, transparent, and trustworthy, strengthening credibility and accountability across the 54 participating centers.
For the 11 African governments involved in the project, this model offers multiple benefits: Stronger accountability mechanisms, ensuring that investments yield measurable results, Improved project implementation efficiency, with clear incentives for performance, More effective resource allocation, directing funding toward high-impact initiatives.
How Verification Works: A Structured Process
The results verification process follows a structured timeline, requiring Centers of Excellence to submit data on achieved results under specific DLIs for designated periods. These submissions must adhere to a strict verification protocol, including detailed reporting templates and supporting documents.
- Initial Review: AAU’s RFU team assesses the reports, providing feedback, requesting clarifications, and ensuring data accuracy.
- Verification Exercise: Independent evaluators conduct combined approaches either on-site and remote verifications, confirming the authenticity of submitted results.
- Disbursement Approval: Upon successful verification, the RFU issues official verification letters to the World Bank and AFD, with copies sent to each center
- Funding Release: The World Bank and AFD issue disbursement letters, triggering the release of funds through participating governments.
This meticulous process ensures integrity and transparency, reinforcing ACE Impact’s commitment to measurable progress.
Performance Highlights: DLI Achievement Rates as of October 2024
The ACE Impact Centers are classified into two groups — 1st ACE Impact (23 ACEs in Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea, and Senegal) and 2nd ACE Impact (31 ACEs in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo) —based on when the projects became effective.
At the 12th regional workshop, Mrs. Adeline Addy, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager, reported that the 1st ACE Impact Centers had attained a Disbursement-linked Indicator achievement rate of 86% marking a 5-point increase since May 2024. Performance was particularly strong under Student Enrolment (95%), Education Relevance (93%) and Fiduciary Management (90%).
For the 2nd ACE Impact Centers, the DLI achievement rate was reported at 84%, representing a 7-point increase since May 2024. This group excelled in Student Enrollment (90%), Relevance of Education/Research (86%) and Quality of Education/Research (80%).
Results Verification of the ACE Impact Project – activities, results, earnings and bottlenecks
Mrs. Adeline Addy reported that the total potential earnings from June to October 2024 amounted to US$22,646,563, with the 1st ACE Impact centers receiving 34% and the 2nd ACE Impact centers 66% of this total.
She noted that verification of the Development Impact of the respective projects was ongoing and expected to conclude by the end of November 2024. Additionally, the final verification round for PhD, MSc and Professional Short Course students, Research Publications and Internships began on 20th September 2024, and will be completed in December 2024, marking the last verification round for these particular results.
Mrs. Addy highlighted several challenges encountered in the verification process, including errors in submitted data, ineligibility and duplication of results, submission through unapproved channels, and use of non-recognized agencies, particularly for self-evaluations and gap assessments. She recommended that Centers ensure data accuracy before submission, especially during “grace periods.” Centers should adhere to eligibility criteria, provide supporting documents, and report issues to the RFU. She emphasized that all results must be submitted via the online platform unless otherwise directed by the RFU and advised Centers to use only approved accreditation agencies or seek clearance prior to engaging them. Centers were encouraged to consult the AAU/WB Team with any concerns.
Mrs. Addy informed Centers that the current verification round for Student, Internship, and Research Publication results is the final one.
She also presented the verification and disbursement schedule through the project’s end in June 2025:
- The first disbursement deadline is November 2024, targeting all DLIs except DLRs 2.2 (Development Impact), 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 (PhD, MSc, and BSc Students), 4.2 (Research Publications), and 5.2 (Internships).
- The second disbursement deadline is early February 2025, covering all DLIs, including the student, internship, and publication results currently under verification.
- The third and final disbursement is scheduled for April 2025 and will focus on a mop-up exercise for all DLRs except student, internship, and publication results.
With ACE Impact set to conclude in June 2025, ensuring a smooth, well-executed closure is paramount. The AAU, World Bank, AFD, and participating African governments remain steadfast in their commitment to supporting ACE Centers in reaching 100% completion of their targets.
By maintaining transparency, efficiency, and results-driven accountability, the project is not only reshaping Africa’s higher education landscape but also laying the foundation for sustainable academic and research excellence across the continent.
