As demand for evidence on aid effectiveness grows, the 2013 Annual Country Portfolio Evaluation Report (ACPER) takes stock of GEF support in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Covering 1992–2013, it synthesizes findings from country portfolio evaluations in Eritrea and Tanzania and a study in Sierra Leone, reviewing 55 national projects supported by $128.3 million in GEF funding and $793.9 million in cofinancing, alongside regional and global initiatives. Using portfolio analyses, terminal evaluations, and stakeholder consultations, the report assessed results, relevance, efficiency, and sustainability.

It finds that GEF support has generated global environmental benefits in biodiversity, climate change, and chemicals while building capacity, strengthening legal frameworks, and aligning with national priorities. Adoption beyond pilot sites is evident in renewable energy and biodiversity management, though sustainability is undermined by persistent financial and institutional risks. Project preparation has become more efficient, yet delays and uneven monitoring and evaluation continue to hinder performance.

The report recommends strengthening measures to sustain and scale successful results, improving monitoring systems, and deepening country-focused programming to enhance ownership and efficiency.