Demand for and supply of evaluations in selected Sub-Saharan African Countries
Date
2013
Authors
Stephen, Porter
Osvaldo, Feinstein
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CLEAR-AA
Abstract
This study argues that the political economy of a country conditions the opportunities
for evaluation to be used in policy processes. Consequently, evaluation capacity
development practices need to be undertaken in a manner that works towards
development with the prevailing political economy. Political economy issues become
less evident as analysis moves from the policy space towards technical delivery, but
still impacts upon the way evaluation processes unfold.
This argument has been developed through synthesising findings from the case studies
in five African countries; namely, Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia. These
studies mapped evaluation demand and supply with consideration for the political
economy. In undertaking the mapping, this study found that there is potential rather
than actual technical capacity to manage, undertake and demand evaluations. This is a
major constraint on the use of evaluation. High-quality evaluations are more often
commissioned and managed by development partners than government, which means
that they are less likely to be used in policy. There are, however, some notable
examples development partner led evaluations being used. In some cases universities,
think tanks and civil society actors in the country have some good technical capacity
and can navigate the political context in a manner that promotes development rather
than self-interest. Such technically good and politically savvy evaluation actors offer
entry points to evaluation capacity development efforts.
Description
Keywords
Demand for and supply of evaluations in selected Sub- Saharan African Countries