CoST, the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, is one of the leading global non-profits improving transparency, participation and accountability in infrastructure to deliver quality infrastructure that improves lives and strengthens economies.
As per the governance rule, the first General Assembly was conducted in 2008 by inviting representatives of the large stakeholders in the construction sector and electing National Multi-stakeholder Group Executive Committee (MSG – EC) who oversees the Initiative. The Multi-stakeholder Group consists of representatives from the Government Sector, Private Sector, Civil Societies and Academia.
Following the successful completion of the Pilot, CoST has launched its full-fledged Program in October 2012 when CoST – Ethiopia was identified as exemplary country-level initiative.
Overview
Prior to CoST: Public infrastructure in context
Corruption has been identified as one of the main issues affecting governance in Ethiopia. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2020, Ethiopia is ranked 94th globally with a score of 38, a five point improvement since 2012.
Besides, in a study of countries’ level of transparency conducted by European Research Center for Anti-corruption and State Building (ERCAS) as shown on https://corruptionrisk.org/ Ethiopia scores 43% Transparency Index in 2024.
Infrastructure in Ethiopia is particularly susceptible to corruption and mismanagement for a number of reasons, including its highly technical nature, the huge project costs involved and lengthy procurement cycles.
CoST Ethiopia: How it all began
Ethiopia was one of the eight countries chosen to be part of CoST’s three-year pilot programme, which focused on how a multi-stakeholder approach could increase transparency and accountability in delivering infrastructure projects.
As a result of this, the then commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) kick-started discussion in Ethiopia around full CoST membership and a committee was formed to undertake preparations. Upon its acceptance, the commissioner of FEACC was appointed as CoST Champion and FEACC the host organization.
Awareness Raising and Capacity Building
A report has been published that assess the requirements for mainstreaming proactive information publication by procuring entities in Ethiopia. This includes collating project and contract information from 9 construction projects.
Then, an independent consultant was deployed to further scrutinize a number of additional project items using the revised CoST data publication standards.
In addition to its work on coordinating the independent scrutiny of public procurement, CoST Ethiopia has prepared and implemented two 5 – Year Strategic Plans. Furthermore, it has trained a number of Procuring Entities (PEs) on the basics of CoST and how to publish information formerly on the PPA website.
Training
CoST Ethiopia trains officials from procuring entities on the CoST approach and the publication of data process, often enlisting professionals from stakeholder institutions to lead these sessions.
In addition, representatives from CoST Ethiopia attend external events, panels and training sessions in order to communicate the CoST approach: to date, over 1,000 representatives from the media, government and other stakeholders in Ethiopia have received CoST training as a result.
Infrastructure Transparency Initiative Ethiopia (CoST Ethiopia)
Email: ethiopia@infrastructuretransparency.org
Phone: +251-111-000000
Address: Kirkos Sub City, Woreda 04, Kazanchis area, Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission Bldg., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
CoST Pillars
Multi-Stakeholder Working
CoST brings together stakeholder groups with different perspectives and backgrounds from across government, private sector and civil society. Through each national program’s Multi-Stakeholder Group, these entities can guide the delivery of CoST and pursue infrastructure transparency and accountability within a neutral platform.
Publication of Data
CoST increases transparency by publishing data on public infrastructure projects.
The disclosure process ensures that information about the purpose, scope, costs and execution of infrastructure projects is open and accessible to the public, and that it is published in a timely manner. Read more…
Independent Review of Data
CoST promotes accountability through the CoST assurance process – an independent review of the published data by third-party independent professionals/teams based within CoST national programes. The teams identify key issues of concern in relation to the items listed in the CoST IDS and put technical jargon into plain language. Read more…
Social Accountability
CoST works with social accountability stakeholders such as the media and civil society to promote the findings from its assurance process so that they can then put key issues into the public domain. In this way, civil society, the media and citizens can all be aware of issues and hold decision-makers to account.
CoST Supporters
