CREDIT NUMBER 7399-CM (CREDIT A) (SML) CREDIT NUMBER 7400-CM (CREDIT B) (REGULAR) Project Agreement (Harmonizing and Improving Statistics in West and Central Africa Project — Series of Projects Two) between INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION and INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA STATISTIQUE (INS) CREDIT NUMBER 7399-CM (CREDIT A) (SML) CREDIT NUMBER 7400-CM (CREDIT B) (REGULAR) PROJECT AGREEMENT AGREEMENT between INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (“Association”) and the Institut National de la Statistique (“Project Implementing Entity,” “PIE”) (“Project Agreement”) in connection with the Financing Agreement (“Financing Agreement”) of the Signature Date between the Republic of Cameroon (“Recipient”) and the Association, concerning Credit No. 7399-CM (Credit A) (SML) and Credit No. 7400- CM (Credit B) (Regular). The Association and the Project Implementing Entity hereby agree as follows: ARTICLE I — GENERAL CONDITIONS; DEFINITIONS 1.01. The General Conditions (as defined in the Appendix to the Financing Agreement) apply to and form part of this Agreement. 1.02. Unless the context requires otherwise, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the Financing Agreement or the General Conditions. ARTICLE II — PROJECT 2.01. The Project Implementing Entity declares its commitment to the objectives of the Project. To this end, the Project Implementing Entity shall carry out Parts 1.2.1, 1.2.2., 1.2.3, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3(a), 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3(a) and (b), 2.4, 2.5, 3.1(b) and (c), 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2 of the Project in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the General Conditions and the Schedule to this Agreement, and shall provide promptly as needed, the funds, facilities, services and other resources required for its respective part of the Project. ARTICLE III — TERMINATION 3.01. For purposes of Section 10.05 (c) of the General Conditions, the date on which the provisions of this Agreement shall terminate is twenty (20) years after the Signature Date. ARTICLE IV — REPRESENTATIVE; ADDRESSES 4.01. The Project Implementing Entity’s Representative is the Director General of the Institut National de la Statistique. -2- 4.02. For purposes of Section 11.01 of the General Conditions: (a) the Association’s address is: International Development Association 1818 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20433 United States of America; and (b) the Association’s Electronic Address is: Telex: Facsimile: 248423(MCI) or 1-202-477-6391 4.03. For purposes of Section 11.01 of the General Conditions: (a) the Project Implementing Entity’s address is: PO Box 134 20, Rue 3004 Quartier du Lac, Yaoundé Cameroon; and (b) the Project Implementing Entity’s Electronic Address is: Telex: E-mail: (+237) 222 220 445 / 222 225 421 infos@ins-cameroun.cm -3- AGREED as of the later of the two dates written below. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION By _____________________________________ Authorized Representative Boutheina Guermazi Name:_______________________________/ Director, Regional Integration Title: ______________________________/ 10-Jan-2025 Date: ______________________________/ INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA STATISTIQUE (INS) By _____________________________________ Authorized Representative Joseph TEDOU Name:_______________________________/ Title: Directeur General _____________________________ / 24-janv.-2025 Date: _____________________________/ -4- SCHEDULE Execution of the Project Section I. Implementation Arrangements A. Institutional Arrangements 1. The PIE shall establish and maintain, at all times during the implementation of the Project, a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) with terms of reference, staff, and resources satisfactory to the Association as further detailed in the Project Operations Manual. The PIU shall be responsible for: (a) the day-to-day management and implementation of the Project; (b) the preparation, adjustments and implementation of the Project management tools, including inter alia, the Project Operations Manual, Annual Work Plan and Budget, and procurement plans; (c) coordinating fiduciary, technical, environmental and social aspects; (d) the preparation of a consolidated report on the implementation of the Project components; and (e) the coordination with the statistical units/departments in other sectoral Ministries and agencies to monitor and supervise the statistical activities carried out by the other sectoral Ministries. 2. The PIE shall ensure that the PIU shall be headed by its director general, or his/her representative, who as Project coordinator will be responsible for the fiduciary aspects of the Project. Subject to paragraph 3 below, the PIE shall recruit or appoint and thereafter maintain, at all times during the implementation of the Project: (a) a Project operations manager; (b) a monitoring and evaluation specialist; (c) a financial management specialist; (d) an accountant; (e) a procurement specialist; (f) an assistant procurement specialist; (g) a communication specialist; (h) an internal auditor; and (i) any other staff needed to assist in the Project implementation and coordination including in accordance with the ESCP; all with terms of reference, qualifications and experience satisfactory to the Association. 3. Without prejudice to and for the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2 above and the ESCP, the PIE shall: (a) not later than one (1) month after the Effective Date, conduct a market analysis for high value or high-risk contracts in accordance with the Project Operations Manual and in terms satisfactory to the Association; (b) not later than three (3) months after the Effective Date, purchase, install and configure the accounting software to take into account the specificity of Project activities in terms satisfactory to the Association; and -5- (c) not later than six (6) months after the Effective Date: (A) recruit or appoint and thereafter maintain, at all times during the implementation of the Project: (i) an external auditor; (ii) a financial management specialist; (iii) an accountant; and (iv) an assistant procurement specialist; all with terms of reference, qualifications and experience and under terms and conditions satisfactory to the Association; and (B) develop a contract management plan for the Project, in form and substance satisfactory to the Association. 4. The PIE shall establish and maintain throughout Project implementation maintain a high-level steering committee (“Project Steering Committee”) under terms of reference and with qualified and experienced members in adequate number, all satisfactory to the Association, for the purposes of: (a) overseeing and assisting the Project implementation; (b) facilitating the Project monitoring and evaluation; and (c) approving the Annual Work Plan and Budget. 5. The PIE shall establish and maintain throughout Project implementation, as needed, the Technical Committees, under terms of reference and with qualified and experienced members in adequate number, all satisfactory to the Association, which shall provide technical support to the Project Implementation Unit with respect to technical activities such as the population and housing census and the household surveys, as further described in the Project Operations Manual. 6. The PIE shall designate at all times during Project implementation a representative to participate in the Regional Project Coordination Committee, under terms of reference and with qualified and experienced members in adequate number, all satisfactory to the Association and as further set out in the Project Operations Manual. B. Subsidiary Agreement 1. To facilitate the carrying out of Parts 1.2.1, 1.2.2., 1.2.3, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3(a), 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3(a) and (b), 2.4, 2.5, 3.1(b) and (c), 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2 of the Project, the PIE shall enter into a subsidiary agreement with the Recipient (“Subsidiary Agreement”) under terms and conditions approved by the Association, which shall include the following: (a) the proceeds of the Financing made available under Subsidiary Agreement shall be provided to the Project Implementing Entity in the form of budgetary allocations; and (b) the proceeds of the Financing so made available shall be provided in credit/grant terms/on a non-refundable basis. -6- 2. The Subsidiary Agreement shall include inter alia: (a) the obligation of the PIE to carry out Parts 1.2.1, 1.2.2., 1.2.3, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3(a), 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3(a) and (b), 2.4, 2.5, 3.1(b) and (c), 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2 of the Project with due diligence and efficiency, in conformity with appropriate administrative, financial and technical practices, the Project Operations Manual, Procurement Regulations, Anti-Corruption Guidelines and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan, and provide, or cause to be provided, promptly as needed, the facilities, services and other resources required for the Project; (b) the right of the Recipient to exercise its rights under the Subsidiary Agreement in such manner as to protect the interests of the Recipient and the Association and to accomplish the purpose of the Financing, including the right of the Recipient, as applicable, to suspend or terminate the PIE’s ability benefit from the proceeds of the Financing; (c) the obligation of the PIE to: (i) comply with record keeping, auditing and reporting requirements set forth in this Agreement (operations, resources and expenditure) for the Project; (ii) at the Association’s or the Recipient’s request, have such financial statements audited by independent auditors acceptable to the Association, in accordance with consistently applied auditing standards acceptable to the Association; and (iii) promptly furnish the statements as so audited to the Recipient and the Association; (d) the obligation of the PIE to: (i) at the request of the Recipient or the Association, exchange views with the Recipient and the Association with regard to the progress of the Project and the performance of its obligations under the Subsidiary Agreement; (ii) enable the Recipient and the Association to inspect the PIE’s implementation of activities under t he Project and any relevant records and documents; and (iii) prepare and furnish to the Recipient and the Association all such information as the Recipient or the Association shall reasonably request; and (e) the obligation of the PIE to promptly inform the Recipient and the Association of any condition which interferes or threatens to interfere with the progress of the Project, or the performance of its obligations under the Subsidiary Agreement. 3. The Recipient shall exercise its rights under the Subsidiary Agreement in such manner as to protect the interests of the Recipient and the Association and to accomplish the purposes of the Financing. Except as the Association shall otherwise agree, the Recipient shall not assign, amend, abrogate or waive the Subsidiary Agreement or any of its provisions. -7- 4. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Subsidiary Agreement and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. C. Project Operations Manual 1. The PIE shall carry out Parts 1.2.1, 1.2.2., 1.2.3, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3(a), 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3(a) and (b), 2.4, 2.5, 3.1(b) and (c), 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2 of the Project in accordance with the arrangements, procedures and guidelines set out in the Project Operations Manual, containing detailed arrangements and procedures, satisfactory to the Association, for: (a) institutional coordination and day-to-day execution of the Project; (b) Project budgeting, disbursement and financial management; (c) procurement; (d) monitoring, evaluation, reporting and communication; (e) environmental and social standards management; (f) the modalities for handling Personal Data in accordance with applicable national law and good international practice; (g) the eligibility criteria and procedures for the provision of Scholarships under Part 2.3(b) of the Project; (h) measures for the procurement and/or use of drones, if any; and (i) such other administrative, financial, technical and organizational arrangements and procedures as shall be required for the Project. 2. The PIE, shall: (a) take all action required to carry out Parts 1.2.1, 1.2.2., 1.2.3, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3(a), 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3(a) and (b), 2.4, 2.5, 3.1(b) and (c), 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2 of the Project in accordance with the provisions and requirements set forth or referred to in the Project Operations Manual; (b) submit recommendations to the Association for its consideration for changes and updates of the Project Operations Manual as they may become necessary or advisable during Project implementation in order to achieve the objectives of the Project; and (c) not assign, amend, abrogate or waive the Project Operations Manual or any of its provisions without the prior approval of the Association. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any of the provisions of the Project Operations Manual is inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail and govern. D. Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) 1. The PIE shall prepare and furnish to the Association not later than November 30 of each year during the implementation of the Project (or for the first calendar year of Project implementation, no later than one (1) month after the Effective Date), a draft work plan and budget for Project implementation, setting out, inter alia: (a) a detailed description of all activities proposed to be included in the Project for the -8- subsequent year; (b) a proposed financing plan for expenditures required for such activities, including proposed amounts and sources of financing; (c) environmental and social instruments applicable to such activities in accordance with the provisions of ESCP; and (d) responsibility for execution of said Project activities, budgets, start and completion dates, outputs and monitoring indicators to track progress of each activity. 2. Each such proposed work plan and budget shall specify any Training activities that may be required under the Project, including: (a) the type of Training; (b) the purpose of the Training; (c) the personnel to be trained; (d) the institution or individual who will conduct the Training; (e) the location and duration of the Training; and (f) the cost of the Training. 3. The PIE shall afford the Association a reasonable opportunity to exchange views with the Recipient on each such proposed work plan and budget, before adoption by the Project Steering Committee of the final version of said plan and budget not later than one (1) month after the date referred to in Section I.D.1 of this Schedule in the form satisfactory to the Association, and thereafter, ensure that the Project is implemented with due diligence during said subsequent year in accordance with such work plan and budget as shall have been approved by the Association (“Annual Work Plan and Budget” or “AWP&B”). 4. The PIE shall not make or allow to be made any changes to the approved AWP&B without prior approval in writing by the Association. E. Environmental and Social Standards 1. The Project Implementing Entity shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards, in a manner acceptable to the Association. 2. Without limitation upon paragraph 1 above, the Project Implementing Entity shall ensure that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (“ESCP”), in a manner acceptable to the Association. To this end, the Project Implementing Entity shall ensure that: (a) the measures and actions specified in the ESCP are implemented with due diligence and efficiency, and provided in the ESCP; (b) sufficient funds are available to cover the costs of implementing the ESCP; (c) policies and procedures are maintained, and qualified and experienced staff in adequate numbers are retained to implement the ESCP, as provided in the ESCP; and -9- (d) the ESCP, or any provision thereof, is not amended, repealed, suspended or waived, except as the Association shall otherwise agree in writing, as specified in the ESCP, and ensure that the revised ESCP is disclosed promptly thereafter. 3. Without limitation upon the provisions of paragraph 2 above, if sixty (60) days prior to the Closing Date, the Association determines that there are measures and actions specified in the ESCP which will not be completed by the Closing Date, the PIE shall: (a) not later than thirty (30) days before the Closing Date, prepare and present to the Association, an action plan satisfactory to the Association on the outstanding measures and actions, including a timetable and budget allocation for such measures and actions (which action plan shall deemed to be considered an amendment of the ESCP); and (b) thereafter, carry out said action plan in accordance with its terms and in a manner acceptable to the Association. 4. In case of any inconsistencies between the ESCP and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. 5. The Project Implementing Entity shall ensure that: (a) all measures necessary are taken to collect, compile, and furnish to the Association through regular reports, with the frequency specified in the ESCP, and promptly in a separate report or reports, if so requested by the Association, information on the status of compliance with the ESCP and the environmental and social instruments referred to therein, all such reports in form and substance acceptable to the Association, setting out, inter alia: (i) the status of implementation of the ESCP; (ii) conditions, if any, which interfere or threaten to interfere with the implementation of the ESCP; and (iii) corrective and preventive measures taken or required to be taken to address such conditions; and (b) the Association is promptly notified of any incident or accident related to or having an impact on the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers, in accordance with the ESCP, the environmental and social instruments referenced therein and the Environmental and Social Standards. 6. The Project Implementing Entity shall establish, publicize, maintain and operate an accessible grievance mechanism, to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances of Project-affected people, and take all measures necessary and appropriate to resolve, or facilitate the resolution of, such concerns and grievances, in a manner acceptable to the Association. -10- 7. The Project Implementing Entity shall ensure that all bidding documents and contracts for civil works under the Project include the obligation of contractors, subcontractors and supervising entities to: (a) comply with the relevant aspects of ESCP and the environmental and social instruments referred to therein; and (b) adopt and enforce codes of conduct that should be provided to and signed by all workers, detailing measures to address environmental, social, health and safety risks, and the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and violence against children, all as applicable to such civil works commissioned or carried out pursuant to said contracts. F. Data Protection Prior to the carrying out of any Personal Data collection and processing activities under the Project, the PIE shall ensure that its staff and any third party contracted for the purpose, follow adequate data protection standards and protocols, in accordance with applicable national law and good international practice and acceptable to the Association, as such standards and protocols shall be incorporated in the Project Operations Manual and, where appropriate, the applicable terms of reference. G. Procurement and/or Use of Drones in Project Implementation 1. Prior to procurement and/or use of drones under the Project, the PIE shall: (a) notify the Association of such proposed procurement and/or use, and afford the Association a reasonable opportunity to assess any risks related to such procurement and/or use, including operational, legal and regulatory (including in accordance with the domestic legal framework), institutional, technical, social and environmental, and fiduciary risks, and to recommend appropriate mitigation measures; and (b) develop a risk mitigation plan for the procurement and/or use of drones, in form and substance acceptable to the Association. 2. The PIE shall ensure that no drones shall be procured and/or used under the Project unless the Recipient has implemented the risk mitigation measures in accordance with paragraph 1 above, the Project Operations Manual, and the ESCP, in form and manner satisfactory to the Association. 3. No drones procured under the Project shall be used for any purpose other than those set out in Part 1.2 of the Project and for which the risk mitigation plan referred to in paragraph 1(b) above has been developed and implemented, except where the Association has provided its prior approval in writing for such use based on: (a) assessment of the risks involved; and (b) implementation of appropriate risk mitigation measures. -11- Section II. Project Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation A. Project Reports 1. The Project Implementing Entity shall monitor and evaluate the progress of the Project and prepare Project Reports for its respective part of the Project in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.08 (b) of the General Conditions and on the basis of the indicators acceptable to the Association. Each such Project Report shall cover the period of one calendar semester and shall be furnished to the Recipient not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of the period covered by such report for incorporation and forwarding by the Recipient to the Association of the overall Project Report. Except as may otherwise be explicitly required or permitted under this Agreement or as may be explicitly requested by the Association, in sharing any information, report or document related to the activities described in Schedule I of the Financing Agreement, the Project Implementing Entity shall ensure that such information, report or document does not include Personal Data. 2. The Project Implementing Entity shall provide to the Recipient not later than the Closing Date, for incorporation in the report referred to in Section 5.08 (c) of the General Conditions all such information as the Recipient or the Association shall reasonably request for the purposes of such Section.