Background: While Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plays a vital role in improving performance, many systems rely heavily on donor-centric and Western-oriented models that do not reflect Africa’s ecosystem dynamics. Objectives: To critically examine the experiences of African thought leaders involved in the Made in Africa Evaluation (MAE) initiative and integrate these reflections with conceptual insights to guide the ongoing refinement of MAE. Method: The study employed a scoping literature review and qualitative interviews with five purposively selected evaluation experts. This approach enabled a comprehensive analysis of the MAE initiative and the real-world experiences of M&E practitioners. Results: Major challenges include limited professional training, a weak evaluation culture and perceptions of M&E as donor-driven, which are compounded by political interference, inadequate funding and corruption. Four strategic pathways were identified: fostering an evaluation culture, promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration, embedding governance principles and ensuring flexibility to reflect Africa’s diverse contexts and development realities. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of developing Afrocentric M&E systems that are technically robust, contextually grounded, independent and resistant to political interference. However, its findings may be constrained by sampling bias due to the small participant pool. Future research should expand on this initiative using the Delphi technique and creating a checklist of key issues for broader quantitative or regional qualitative testing. Contribution: The study contributes to the growing body of work advocating for an Afrocentric M&E system by capturing the lived experiences of African thought leaders behind the MAE initiative.

This Table of Contents reflects the print compilation of peer-reviewed articles published in the journal. Each article listed was originally published online under the journal’s open access model and remains individually accessible and citable. This compilation has been created solely for print distribution, reference, and archival purposes. No new research content is introduced. The publisher affirms that all articles included in this compilation have undergone the journal’s standard editorial and peer-review processes.

Background: Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is pivotal for improving the effectiveness and relevance of in-service training programmes for healthcare providers, especially in African and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While information technology (IT) tools are increasingly being used to monitor and evaluate these programmes, empirical research on their application is limited. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to critically examine and highlight the role of IT in M&E for in-service training programmes for healthcare providers in African and other LMICs. Method: A systematic approach was undertaken, integrating information systems (IS) and evidence-based guidelines to evaluate IT tools used in M&E of in-service programmes. Studies published in English from 2014 onwards were reviewed. Results: The review identified 28 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Most studies – 17 out of the 28 articles (61%) – originated from Africa, 10 (36%) from Asia, and 1 (4%) from Oceania. A significant proportion of the studies – 23 out of 28 articles (82%) – reported using desktop-based software primarily for data collection, cleaning, analysis and storage. Conclusion: The findings indicated that the increasing use of IT in the M&E of in-service training programmes for healthcare providers in LMICs holds considerable promise for improving data management and facilitating more informed decision-making to enhance healthcare delivery. Contribution: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first systematic review conducted to explore the use of IT tools for monitoring and evaluating in-service training programmes for healthcare providers across various health sectors in LMICs.

Background: Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is not only a managerial tool and apolitical process, but it is also a political tool serving political objectives. In Western Uganda, government and non-governmental conservation organisations monitor and evaluate Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) projects in protected areas (PAs) and adjacent communities. However, politics of M&E influences how performance evidence is generated and used. Objectives: This article explores the inevitable politics of M&E and their implications for evidence generation and use. Method: The research was conducted in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Western Uganda and neighbouring communities. It involved Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and three non-governmental conservation organisations supporting CBNRM in PAs and neighboring communities in Western Uganda. A qualitative research approach was applied using ethnographic research strategy. Data were collected through in-depth and informal interviews of conservation organisations’ staff, local leaders and communities, document analysis and participant observation. Results: This study finds that M&E is aligned to generate performance evidence donors require, with little use locally. M&E politics determines the evidence generated, aligned to powerful interest and donor information needs. Political leaders demand participation in monitoring projects for political capital by demonstrating their commitment to electorate. Conclusion: Dealing with M&E politics requires acknowledging its positive and negative implications and leveraging existing opportunities to achieve M&E objectives. Contribution: This paper highlights how to deal with politics of M&E and underscores designing and conducting M&E as a technical and political process.

Background: African higher education institutions lag behind their global counterparts in the number of research outputs produced. To address this shortcoming, early-career researcher development programmes play a critical role. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are vital in assuring that such programmes deliver meaningful outcomes. However, M&E is an expensive process, which is problematic in the resource-constrained context of the African continent. Traditionally, practitioners use expensive data analysis software suites such as the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysing quantitative M&E data. Although open-source programming languages such as Python are free to use, there are no libraries in Python aimed at the analyses needed for quantitative M&E data, resulting in a steep learning curve for new Python users. Objectives: The objective of this article was to develop a Python library of functions to make Python a user-friendly alternative for analysing quantitative M&E data. Method: A Python library of functions automating M&E data analysis procedures was developed. The Python M&E library was tested in this article on quantitative evaluation data of an early-career researcher development programme event and the output compared to that obtained using the SPSS general user interface (GUI). Results: The Python M&E library functions produced identical results to the output produced using the SPSS GUI. Conclusion: The results showed that the Python M&E library makes Python a viable, free and time-saving alternative for the analysis of quantitative M&E data. Contribution: This article contributes by providing a free alternative method for analysing quantitative M&E data, which can help evaluation practitioners in the developing world reduce the costs associated with evaluating capacity development programmes.

Background: Results-based management (RBM) aims to enhance accountability, transparency and effectiveness in the allocation and utilisation of resources. In the not-for-profit sector, particularly among non-governmental organisations (NGOs), RBM has been pivotal in ensuring interventions are aligned with organisational goals and community needs, thereby maximising impact. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the not-for-profit sector in Zimbabwe by causing unprecedented challenges such as restrictions on movement, supply chain disruptions and economic downturns. Objectives: This study examines the impact of the pandemic on the implementation of RBM within the not-for-profit sector in Zimbabwe. Method: A concurrent mixed methods approach was employed, using a survey of 190 not-for-profit organisations (NPOs), in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with NPO staff. Results: The findings reveal essential influences of COVID-19 on NPOs’ ability to implement RBM, identifying key factors influencing effectiveness during the pandemic, including organisational flexibility, donor support and communication strategies. Additionally, it highlights the need for strengthened capacities, such as data analysis skills and potentially adjusted incentive structures to support effective RBM. Conclusion: The study underscores the inherent challenges of RBM during a crisis, including uncertainty, competing priorities and the potential focus on short-term relief. Contribution: This research contributes to a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities for NPOs implementing RBM during a global crisis. The findings offer valuable insights for NPOs, donors and policymakers to strengthen RBM practices and ensure continued effectiveness in achieving impactful results.

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Background: Engaging emerging evaluators (EEs) in evaluation projects offers substantial benefits for both evaluators and organisations; however, effective guidance on empowering them is often limited.Objectives: This article provides actionable recommendations for empowering EEs across all phases of evaluation projects, drawing primarily on insights from EEs and their mentors. Leveraging the Eval4Action campaign’s standards for meaningful youth engagement, this article aims to enrich EEs’ learning experiences, foster their professional growth, and enhance evaluation quality and impact.Method: A qualitative and participatory approach was used, incorporating the author’s mentorship experiences, discussions with EEs and mentors, and consultations with established programmes such as the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association’s (SAMEA) EE initiative and the EvalYouth Global Network. A comprehensive literature review on youth engagement and partnerships further informs this study.Results: Findings indicate that effective EE engagement relies on well-defined roles, open communication, and genuine appreciation of EEs’ contributions. Despite these needs, many EEs reported being limited to data collection roles, which restricts their opportunities for growth and limits their developmental impact within evaluations.Conclusion: Adopting these recommendations can foster a culture of empowerment and inclusion, enhancing both the quality and effectiveness of evaluation projects.Contribution: This study underscores the importance of engaging EEs in meaningful roles throughout projects, advancing inclusivity and effectiveness in evaluations. Empowering EEs leads to more comprehensive assessments, providing deeper insights for policy and programme evaluation.

Background: Evaluation in contexts of fragility and violence has recently received attention because of the increased complexity of conducting such evaluations. The use of digital tools has been advocated for conducting these evaluations, but with limited results.Objectives: This article presents an in-depth analysis of combining digital tools with in-person activities to build trust and develop the type of human interaction required to improve the quality of evaluation design and implementation in the context of insecurity, fragility and violence.Method: Data collection was conducted both offline and online. Enumerators collected data through face-to-face individual interviews, and statistical analysis was performed using STATA software version 17.Results: The objectives of data collection were achieved at 99%, notwithstanding the challenging security environment. Several factors contributed to this achievement, notably our methodological framework based on trust building, digitisation and iterative programming. Despite this commendable performance, the overall efficiency was found to be 63%, indicating a potential for a 37% reduction in data collection time.Conclusion: The proposed trust-based approach has been successfully tested to enhance the quality of baseline studies and establish conditions for the success of other phases of evaluations.Contribution: This case study serves as an evidence to what we call a trust-based approach to the use of digital tools in evaluation processes. We contend that the effectiveness of digital tools in enhancing the quality of evaluation design, especially in the context of fragility and violence, hinges on their integration with face-to-face activities, trust-based human interaction and careful timing.