Review of Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania



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71262
Synthesis of Review of Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania

Africa Region Working Paper Series No. 131

July, 2010
Abstract



This synthesis paper is based on a review of three countries in West Africa –Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania- where SOEs continue to play an important role and Governments have embarked on a number of public sector reforms are intended to have a positive impact on SOEs. SOE governance practices and problems are have strong similarities in all of the countries reviewed. These commonalities can be ascribed to the fact that all of the countries are transitioning from centrally controlled economic and political traditions to more liberal economies and to a more democratic government. All are facing challenges with implementing the legal structures left behind from colonial times. The data that is available shows that wholly-owned and state controlled SOEs under perform. Many are technically insolvent and survive only through government support. Their performance is not only poor in the financial area but also in the provision of needed social services.

The country studies link the poor performance of SOEs, in particular wholly-owned SOEs, to their governance practices. Long-lasting reforms are not simply a matter of plugging holes in the legislative or institutional framework. Corporate governance is the result of a complex interplay of law, practice, institutions and culture. Action plans need to take into account incentives and the political, social and cultural context of corporate governance in the country in addition to the legal framework. Indeed, SOE governance is a system and making it work better requires a systems approach. Most reform plans in the past have focused on one or another element of SOE governance, which might explain why many have fallen short of hopes and expectations. Systems approaches, on the other hand, are important in complex organizations (such as SOEs) whose success depends upon the interaction and cooperation of other organizations and institutions.

This synthesis paper presents the objectives and the methodology used in carrying out the reviews followed by a discussion of the features and importance of SOEs in each of the countries studied. It then segues into a discussion on the performance of SOEs which is supplemented by case studies of both successful and unsuccessful SOEs and key lessons learned The paper then presents the current Government initiatives for reform and the remaining challenges and recommendations. The paper concludes with suggestions on how to implement the recommendations based on examples from other countries that have embarked on comprehensive governance reforms for the SOE sector.


==============

Authors’ Affiliation and Sponsorship1

Mazen Bouri, Private Sector Development Specialist, mbouri@worldbank.org

Francois Nankobogo, Senior Operations Officer, fnankobogo@worldbank.org

Rich Frederick, Corporate Governance Consultant, w.richard.frederick@gmail.com


The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the author(s), they do not necessarily represent the views of the World Bank Group, its Executive Directors, or the countries they represent and should not be attributed to them




Synthesis of Review of Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania


By
Mazen Bouri,

Francois Nankobogo,

Rich Frederick
Finance and Private Sector Development Unit

Africa Region

The World Bank
July 2010
The Africa Region Working Paper Series expedites dissemination of applied research and policy studies with potential for improving economic performance and social conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Series publishes papers at preliminary stages to stimulate timely discussion within the Region and among client countries, donors, and the policy research community. The editorial board for the Series consists of representatives from professional families appointed by the Region’s Sector Directors. For additional information, please contact Paula White, managing editor of the series, (81131), Email: pwhite2@worldbank.org or visit the Web site: http://www.worldbank.org/afr/wps/index.htm.

Acknowledgement



This report was prepared by a World Bank team consisting of Mazen Bouri (Private Sector Development Specialist/TTL), Francois Nankobogo (Senior Operations Officer), and Rich Frederick (Governance Consultant) of the Africa Region Finance and Private Sector Unit. Significant input and advice was received from Alexander Berg (Program Manager), Sunita Kikeri (Advisor), and Deborah Eskinazi (Consultant) of the Corporate Governance Group. Overall guidance and quality control was provided by Marilou Jane Uy, Sector Director for the Africa Finance and Private Sector Development Unit.

The synthesis report and individual country reviews on which it is based was funded by contributions from the BNPP (Bank-Netherlands Partnership Program) with additional funds for dissemination provided by the World Bank Africa Region Governance and Anti-Corruption Action Plan.

The authors are grateful to the authorities, state-owned enterprises, and other stakeholders in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania who volunteered their time and insights to the team to enable this work to be carried out. We hope that that the findings and recommendations herein will enhance the framework and practice of corporate governance for SOEs in the three countries as well as provide guidance for improving corporate governance elsewhere in the Africa Region.

List of Acronyms


AFKED Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development

AGM Annual General Meeting

AFTFP World Bank Africa Finance and Private Sector Development Department

BHM Banque de l’Habitat du Mali

CEO Chief Executive Officer

COPIREP Comité de Pilotage de la Réforme des Entreprises du Portefeuille de l'Etat(DRC)

DGABE Direction Générale de L’Administration des Biens de L’Etat (Mali)

DGPE Direction Générale du Patrimoine de l’Etat (Mauritania)

DRC Democratic Republic of Congo

DTF The Direction de la Tutelle Financière (Mauritania)

EDM Energie du Mali

FMAWR Nigeria Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources

GA General Assembly

GCMCG World Bank Corporate Governance Unit

GDP Gross Domestic Product

IEPP Inspection Entreprises Publiques et Para-publiques

IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards

IPS Industrial Promotion Services

MAURITEL Société mauritanienne de télécommunications

NACDRB Nigerian Agricultural, Co-operative and Rural Development Bank

OECD Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development

OHADA L’Organisation pour l'Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires

ONATEL Office Nationale des Telecommunications (Burkina Faso)

ONEA Office National de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement (Burkina Faso)

SNIM Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (Mauritania)

SOEs State Owned Enterprises


Contents


Introduction 9

1.Factors that Prompted the Studies 9



1.Factors that Prompted the Studies 9

2.The Objectives of the Studies 9



2.The Objectives of the Studies 9

3.Problems Specific to the Governance of SOEs 10



3.Problems Specific to the Governance of SOEs 10

4.Approach and Methodology 12



4.Approach and Methodology 12

SOEs remain a significant presence in the economies 13

1.The number of SOEs 13



1.The number of SOEs 13

2.Sectors in which SOEs are active 14



2.Sectors in which SOEs are active 14

3.The Contribution of SOEs to the National Economy 15



3.The Contribution of SOEs to the National Economy 15

SOE Performance is Generally Poor 16

1.Financial performance 17



1.Financial performance 17

2.Performance on social indicators 18



2.Performance on social indicators 18

3.The causes of poor performance 19



3.The causes of poor performance 19

Case studies of dysfunctions in governance 19

Hard budget constraints and supports 19

Micro-management by the state and politicization of operating decisions 20

Absence of board authority and managerial autonomy 22

The role of the external auditor 23

Lack of internal control and deficient oversight 23

Case Studies of Improvements in Governance 25

Improving performance by broadening the shareholder base 26

Better accountability through creditor oversight 28

The positive influence of committed strategic partners 29

Improved governance through improved accounting and reporting 31

Government-driven SOE reform initiatives 31

Burkina Faso 31

Mali 33

Mauritania 34

Democratic Republic of Congo 34

Remaining challenges and recommendations 35

1.The state as an owner 36



1.The state as an owner 36

2.The legal and regulatory framework 41



2.The legal and regulatory framework 41

3.SOE boards 44



3.SOE boards 44

4.Transparency and disclosure 48



4.Transparency and disclosure 48

How to initiate a reform process and how donors
can help 51


Executive Summary


State owned enterprises continue to play a significant role in many sub-Saharan Africa countries. More often than not they are present in vital sectors of the economy such as utilities, infrastructure (transport/ telecommunications), energy, and natural resources. Though privatization has resulted in moving many state assets into the private sector, there are still a considerable number of SOEs that represent a significant portion of GDP. Some of the more successful SOEs provide much needed fiscal revenues for states with a narrow economic base and limited tax collections. In many countries where the informal sector dominates private sector activity, SOEs offer one of the few sources of formal and stable employment. Finally, SOEs continue to be seen as essential for achieving social and policy development goals. Given the continued importance of SOEs and the fact that many will remain publicly owned for the foreseeable future, it is important to assist countries in exploring avenues for improving the performance of SOEs. Corporate Governance refers to the way companies are directed and the means by which owners hold management accountable for achieving agreed goals. Improving corporate governance has been demonstrated to result in improved accountability, transparency, operational performance, and of course appeal to private investors.

This synthesis paper is based on a review of three countries in West Africa –Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania2- where SOEs continue to play an important role and Governments have embarked on a number of public sector reforms that can have a positive impact on SOEs. These reforms have not been specific to SOEs; however, they can be built on through also working on enhancing the framework and practice of SOE Governance.

SOE governance practices and problems are strikingly similar in all of the countries reviewed. These commonalities can be ascribed to the fact that all of the countries are transitioning from centrally controlled economic and political traditions to more liberal economies and to a more democratic government. All are struggling with implementing the legal structures left behind from colonial times. The data that is available shows that wholly-owned and state controlled SOEs under perform. Many are technically insolvent and survive only through government support. Their performance is not only poor in the financial area, but also in the provision of needed social services.

The country studies link the poor performance of SOEs, in particular wholly-owned SOEs, to their governance practices. The fundamental problem is the politicization of decision making so that commercial objectives are either not taken into account, or are not assigned appropriate weight. Additional factors that had negative impact on governance includes lack of managerial and board-level skills, weak regulatory oversight, and insufficient checks and balances. Indeed, SOEs that succeeded are those that had a non-political accountability element, which was introduced either through new investors, strategic partnerships, long term creditor relationship, or the granting of managerial autonomy by the state. These various approaches serve to mitigate political interference and provide the space for SOEs to perform according to established objectives.

Changes in corporate governance imply changes in business and political culture and public attitudes. Any changes in existing political/economic relationships, such as any significant SOE reform might imply, whether through privatization, the imposition of hard budget constraints or reductions of subsidies. Likewise, a change of the control structures of SOEs (i.e. their governance) might be met with resistance and could can easily result in social, political and economic tensions and vigorous resistance from those who benefit from existing practices. Any reform effort needs to pay attention to the reason why practices persist and to the disincentives for reform.

Long-lasting reforms are not simply a matter of plugging holes in the legislative or institutional framework. Corporate governance is the result of a complex interplay of law, practice, institutions and culture. Action plans need to take into account incentives and the political, social and cultural context of corporate governance in the country in addition to the legal framework. Indeed, SOE governance is a system and making it work better requires a systems approach. Most reform plans in the past have focused on a specific element of SOE governance. This narrow approach might explain why many have fallen short of hopes and expectations. Systems approaches, on the other hand, are important in complex organizations (such as SOEs) whose success depends upon the interaction and co-operation of other organizations and institutions.

This synthesis paper presents the objectives and the methodology used in carrying out the reviews followed by a discussion of the features and importance of SOEs in each of the countries studied. It then segues into the actual performance of SOEs and is supplemented by case studies of successful and unsuccessful SOEs and lessons learned from these experiences.. The paper then presents the current Government initiatives for reform and the remaining challenges and recommendations. The paper concludes with suggestion on how to implement the recommendations based on examples from other countries that have embarked on comprehensive governance reforms for the SOE sector.



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