| Background on Country Assistance Strategy The Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is the most important World Bank country document. It is tailored to the needs and circumstances of each country and lays down the World Bank Group's development priorities, as well as the level and type of assistance the Bank will provide for a period of three years. The CAS preparation is a participatory process. Before the adoption, key elements of the strategy are discussed with government representatives; and to ensure the widest possible involvement, public dialogues are also held, with Internet-based discussions taking place in many countries.
However, the CAS is not a negotiated document. Any differences between the country's own agenda and the Bank's strategy are highlighted in the CAS document. A progress report is issued in the intervening year. More information is available at the World Bank CAS website. Nigeria Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), 2005 - 2009 In May 2004, Nigeria launched its strategy for growth and poverty reduction, the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) , and the state-level State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS). The NEEDS is based on three pillars: empowering people, and improving social service delivery; improving the private sector, focusing on non-oil growth; and, changing the way government works, and improving governance. Despite the reform efforts, Nigeria still faces significant challenges in accelerating growth, reducing poverty and meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Nigeria ' s reform efforts and development challenges need strong international support. This Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) proposes to step up financial and technical assistance, signaling strong support for the Government ' s reform efforts, and help finance investment necessary to remove obstacles to growth and development. Work with the Federal Government will be in four areas: a) financing investments in infrastructure (especially power, gas infrastructure and transport); b) financial and technical support to improve accountability and transparency, and to fight corruption; c) technical assistance and advisory services towards investment climate and policies, to stimulate private sector led growth; and d) support to national initiatives for human development, particularly those aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS, strengthening the health system, and supporting the knowledge economy. In lead states, financial and technical assistance will seek to leverage state efforts and resources to boost economic activity, and improve social service delivery. A distinctive feature of the CPS strategy is the variety of aid instruments it will be able to offer at different levels of intervention. The CPS resonates with key elements of the Africa Commission report, including its support for private sector growth, and its emphasis on new investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and human development. The CPS's push for increased resource flows to Nigeria is also in line with the Commission's report for increased resource flows to Africa, including through debt relief. Notwithstanding, given Nigeria's history, today's reform efforts are high risk, hence the Bank's and DFID's strong commitment to provide support, while mitigating risks. A key risk is that the political landscape and commitment to reform may shift, particularly after the 2007 elections. The CPS will support the Government in completing the reforms it has initiated, and civil society in strengthening its capacity to demand change on accountability, transparency and service delivery. Related Links National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS):
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