International Development Partners Research Articles

Recent developments in higher education in Africa: partnerships for knowledge transformations

PurposeThis paper explores some of the recent developments and transformations in Africa's higher education.Design/methodology/approachIt employs an extensive review of literature based on some dominant thematic areas characterizing the main trends and developments in Africa's higher education.FindingsThe paper mainly highlights the impacts of academic partnerships on these transformations, with a focus on research, postgraduate training, mobility and some new intra-African initiatives. Following the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, digitalization comes out as an important turning point for Africa's higher education, which should be exploited for more opportunities. The paper calls for collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing Africa's higher education for the repositioning of Africa as a meaningful player in the unfolding global knowledge society.Practical implicationsThe outcomes could be useful to researchers focused on international education, policymakers and higher education leaders and international development partners working on higher education in Africa. It could also be useful for structuring future collaborations between Africa and other regions of the world.Social implicationsThe paper calls for enhanced and mutually beneficial collaborations and disruption of the imbalances that have characterised North–South collaborations. It proposes some possible approaches and alternatives that could be used for redress.Originality/valueThe paper is original and relies on some of the new developments in Africa, including the impacts of COVID-19 and digitalization on the future of higher education collaborations with Africa.

When waiting means trouble: an enquiry into the approach toward prevention against jihadism in Senegal

In the last decade, West Africa has experienced increased activities by Jihadist groups, especially after the fall of the Muammar Qaddafi regime in Libya in 2012. The activities of these groups have gradually spread in the region, with countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso experiencing continued attacks. Taking the current socio-economic, religious and political context of Senegal into consideration, this study interrogates the factors that have so far prevented attacks by Jihadist groups in Senegal, the role that women and youth could play in mitigating jihadism in Senegal, and how the existing social capital in the country, could be further mobilized to foster trust building and social cohesion, thereby enhancing the prevention of violent extremism in the country? Furthermore, the study explores the need for a regional approach in dealing with the existing and emerging threats posed by Jihadist activities in the region. Methodologically, this study uses interviews and Focus Group Discussions to collect primary data from government officials, academics, civil society and international development partners. Secondary data from a wide range of sources are used to analyze the case of Senegal.

We are queer and the struggle is here! Visibility at the intersection of LGBT+ rights, post-coloniality, and development cooperation in Uganda

This article unpacks different meanings of visibility and adds to a more complex and nuanced understanding of visibility and its role in LGBT + activism in Uganda, a widely discussed case of political homophobia. Public visibility has a central, although contested, role here. The study aims to explore how visibility is understood and navigated by local LGBT + activists, unaffiliated people with same-sex desires, as well as international development partners. Interviews conducted in Kampala from December 2021–January 2022 reveal different and complex narratives surrounding visibility. Local unaffiliated individuals and activists agreed on the importance of making the LGBT + rights struggle more visible. This, however, did not translate into a wish to “come out” themselves. International development actors expressed a need for caution regarding their own visibility, mindful that explicit and visual support may generate accusations of neo-imperialism.

Overview on the African Regional Processes

Regional integration in Africa is deemed as fundamental by many of the continent’s policymakers and as a result, there is growing support for regional integration in Africa amongst the conti-nent's international development partners and African elites. The success of regional integration, development & cooperation and social policy are dependent on multilateral regional associations of nations. However, little progress has been made, and one of the challenges and criticisms of the institutions’ efforts towards achieving the African Integration Agenda, is overlapping mem-bership. The paper examines the AU and RECs structures and role as regional integration bod-ies. Then, the research discusses and evaluates the challenges, and these regional bodies encoun-ter six decades later. The research asserts that genuine progress towards deeper and swifter inte-gration can only be attained through the active support and participation of Member States.

Institutional Context of Pest Management Science in the Global South.

The natural sciences are receiving increasing attention in the Global South. This timely development may help mitigate global change and quicken an envisioned food system transformation. Yet in order to resolve complex issues such as agrochemical pollution, science ideally proceeds along suitable trajectories within appropriate institutional contexts. Here, we employ a systematic literature review to map the nature of inquiry and institutional context of pest management science in 65 low- and middle-income countries published from 2010 to 2020. Despite large inter-country variability, any given country generates an average of 5.9 publications per annum (range 0-45.9) and individual nations such as Brazil, Kenya, Benin, Vietnam, and Turkey engage extensively in regional cooperation. International development partners are prominent scientific actors in West Africa but are commonly outpaced by national institutions and foreign academia in other regions. Transnational institutions such as the CGIAR represent a 1.4-fold higher share of studies on host plant resistance but lag in public interest science disciplines such as biological control. Despite high levels of scientific abstraction, research conducted jointly with development partners shows real yet marginal improvements in incorporating the multiple (social-ecological) layers of the farming system. Added emphasis on integrative system-level approaches and agroecological or biodiversity-driven measures can extend the reach of science to unlock transformative change.

Factors influencing the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices among smallholder farmers in Kakamega County, Kenya

Most of Kenya’s population’s livelihoods and agri-food systems rely on rain-fed agriculture making them vulnerable to climate change. The adverse effects of climate change on agricultural production have necessitated the promotion of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies help guide actions needed to transform and reorient agricultural systems to effectively support development and ensure food security by increasing farmers’ resilience to climate change. This study sought to ascertain the current state of CSA practices among Kakamega County's smallholder farmers to identify the main drivers of CSA adoption. Stratified sampling was used to select six sub-counties to represent the county's various agroecological zones and regions for the research sample. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling was used to select 428 smallholder CSA farmers of which 182 were adopters while 246 were dis-adopters. Primary data were collected using interview guides developed through the Kobo Collect Application. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical packages were used to process and analyze the data. This study established that CSA technologies in Kakamega are mainly promoted by international development partners, non-governmental organizations and research organizations. In addition, the most adopted CSA technologies were agroforestry, composting, and soil and water conservation structures, while push-pull technology, conservation agriculture, and vermiculture were the least adopted. This study, further, established that smallholder farmers’ level of education, membership to a farmers’ group, interaction with extension officers and farming experience influenced adoption of CSA technologies. Other factors are those that increase household productive resources, such as land ownership, household income, and access to agricultural credit. The results of this study suggest that those who promote CSA technologies, policymakers, extension service providers, and other stakeholders should take smallholder farmers' socioeconomic and bio-physical factors into account when doing so. Key words: Climate-smart agriculture, CSA practices, CSA adoption, CSA dis-adoption, smallholder farmers

Devolved Governance System and its Economic Development Impact to Rural Counties in Kenya: Case Study Kakamega County, Kenya

This study aims at discussing how devolved governance system has an economic impact to rural counties in Kenya with Kakamega rural county as the case study. The Devolution is one of the most transformative changes to Kenya’s governance system brought about by the Kenya Constitution, 2010. Article 174 of the Constitution provides that one of the key objectives of devolution is to promote social and economic development and provide proximate, easily accessible services throughout Kenya. Many rural Counties including Kakamega County faced with a myriad of challenges such as poverty, unemployment, disease, low agricultural productivity among others. Kakamega County through its short, medium and long term plans came up with an Integrated Development Plan (CIDP). The CIDP helps the county in identification of the projects and programmes through various consultative forums at the sub-county level vide Focused Ward Groups, community dialogues, County Stakeholders, such as the County Budget and Economic Forum, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce, Public Benefit Organizations such as GROOTS Kenya, ADS, and International development partners such as UNICEF, UNDP and USAID. Kakamega county has achieved much in terms of developments in various sectors such as education, health, infrastructure and urbanization. This study contributes in highlighting how devolved governance system has a positive impact to rural areas in kenya. The study provides crucial insights on devolution as a tool to economic development changes in rural Kenya especially in Kakamega County.

Facilitators and Barriers in the Implementation of a Digital Surveillance and Outbreak Response System in Ghana Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Analysis of Stakeholder Interviews.

In the past 2 decades, many countries have recognized the use of electronic systems for disease surveillance and outbreak response as an important strategy for disease control and prevention. In low- and middle-income countries, the adoption of these electronic systems remains a priority and has attracted the support of global health players. However, the successful implementation and institutionalization of electronic systems in low- and middle-income countries have been challenged by the local capacity to absorb technologies, decisiveness and strength of leadership, implementation costs, workforce attitudes toward innovation, and organizational factors. In November 2019, Ghana piloted the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) for routine surveillance and subsequently used it for the national COVID-19 response. This study aims to identify the facilitators of and barriers to the sustainable implementation and operation of SORMAS in Ghana. Between November 2021 and March 2022, we conducted a qualitative study among 22 resource persons representing different stakeholders involved in the implementation of SORMAS in Ghana. We interviewed study participants via telephone using in-depth interview guides developed consistent with the model of diffusion of innovations in health service organizations. We transcribed the interviews verbatim and performed independent validation of transcripts and pseudonymization. We performed deductive coding using 7 a priori categories: innovation, adopting health system, adoption and assimilation, diffusion and dissemination, outer context, institutionalization, and linkages among the aspects of implementation. We used MAXQDA Analytics Pro for transcription, coding, and analysis. The facilitators of SORMAS implementation included its coherent design consistent with the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system, adaptability to evolving local needs, relative advantages for task performance (eg, real-time reporting, generation of case-base data, improved data quality, mobile offline capability, and integration of laboratory procedures), intrinsic motivation of users, and a smartphone-savvy workforce. Other facilitators were its alignment with health system goals, dedicated national leadership, political endorsement, availability of in-country IT capacities, and financial and technical support from inventors and international development partners. The main barriers were unstable technical interoperability between SORMAS and existing health information systems, reliance on a private IT company for data hosting, unreliable internet connectivity, unstable national power supply, inadequate numbers and poor quality of data collection devices, and substantial dependence on external funding. The facilitators of and barriers to SORMAS implementation are multiple and interdependent. Important success conditions for implementation include enhanced scope and efficiency of task performance, strong technical and political stewardship, and a self-motivated workforce. Inadequate funding, limited IT infrastructure, and lack of software development expertise are mutually reinforcing barriers to implementation and progress to country ownership. Some barriers are external, relate to the overall national infrastructural development, and are not amenable even to unlimited project funding.

Emergence of National Nutrition Policy in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: an analysis of collaborations between governmental and external actors

BackgroundIn most developing countries, addressing malnutrition involves a coalition of stakeholders that includes the government and international development partners. This study explores the evolution of the malnutrition actor coalition landscape before and after the emergence of the National Nutrition Policy in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) in 2008.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted based on the theory of coalition structuring. Twenty semi-structured interviews were performed with representatives of national and international organisations involved in addressing malnutrition in Lao PDR. The information obtained from the interviews was complemented by an analysis of relevant documents dating back to 1990. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 11 software and the diagrams of collaboration drawn by the participants were turned into a visual collaboration map using SocNetV software. We relied on various types of triangulation to increase the analysis's credibility, reliability, and confirmability.ResultsThe results showed that before the emergence of the National Nutrition Policy, three coalitions representing the health, agriculture, and education sectors coexisted. These colalitions worked largely in silos, although with some interactions when deemed necessary mainly by United Nations agencies. The emergence of the National Nutrition Policy provided the government with an effective political tool for coalescing the three coalitions into a unique coalition involving all major stakeholders in the nutrition field. All three forces that incite actors to collaborate inside a coalition according to the theory of coalition structuring (transactions, control, intangible factors) were mobilised in the creation of the single coalition.ConclusionsCombating malnutrition is a government priority in the Lao PDR. The current study showed that the National Nutrition Policy in Lao PDR has led to a significant evolution in the malnutrition coalition landscape, resulting in improved collaboration among stakeholders. This finding highlights the effectiveness of public policies in facilitating intersectoral activities to tackle complex problems, such as malnutrition.

The Promise of Double Living. Understanding Young People with Same-Sex Desires in Contemporary Kampala

ABSTRACT Ugandan urban same-sex desiring individuals frequently encounter and navigate competing understandings of sexuality and sexual identity. Western essentialist understanding of sexual identity introduced by international development partners and transnational LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi- and Transsexual) activism, as well as media, offer an alternative to Ugandan non-essentialist and fluid subject positions. This article seeks to understand how young individuals with same-sex -desires in Kampala navigate tensions between Western and local understandings concerning sexuality. We have interviewed 24 young individuals with same-sex desires (unaffiliated and individuals working in LGBT+ organizations) and asked how they approach their sexuality and experiences living with same-sex desires in contemporary Kampala. The results reveal how interview participants engaged in a complex navigation between local community expectations, their own same-sex desires, and embeddedness in a global LGBT+ culture. Although the participants engaged in what Westerners would label as a “double life,” the article problematizes the prescriptive norms of authenticity and “coming out.” The conclusion is that the fluid vs essentialist dichotomy is too simplistic to be helpful when trying to understand the lives and aspirations of young people with same-sex desires.

International and local NGOs addressing violent and hateful extremism in Kenya

ABSTRACT A string of terror attacks in Kenya in the late 2000s necessitated robust counter terrorism responses by the Government. The Washington-led countering violent extremism strategy in 2011 came as a salvage tool for countering violent extremism programmes in Kenya and beyond. In September 2016, the government of Kenya launched the National Strategy for Countering Violent Extremism in line with the call promoted by international development partners and INGOs for softer preventative approaches. Drawing on extensive fieldwork in Kenya 2015–2021, the article examines the evolving top-down, international and national framings of the term ‘violent extremism’ and its mitigation within prevention and countering violent extremism (PCVE) programming. The article sheds light on the evolving threat of violent extremism (VE) and looks at contributions broader VE definitions can include, notably violent and hateful extremism addressing hatred and hate speech, toxic identity politics, misogyny, stigmatisation and marginalisation in PCVE initiatives.

The COVID-19 laboratory response in Timor-Leste; a story of collaboration.

Timor-Leste is a small nation of 1.3 million people which shares a land border with Indonesia and is 550km from Darwin, Australia. It is one of the poorest nations in Asia. The National Health Laboratory (NHL) and its network of smaller laboratories in Timor-Leste had limited capacity to perform molecular diagnostic testing before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began. With the support of international development partners, the NHL rapidly expanded its molecular testing service. From March 2020 to February 2022, over 200,000 molecular tests were performed; COVID-19 testing sites were established in hospital and community health center laboratories and all 13 municipalities, and the number of scientists and technicians at the molecular diagnostic laboratory at the NHL increased from five to 28 between 2019 and2022. Molecular diagnostic testing for COVID-19 was successfully established at the NHL and in the municipalities. The molecular diagnostic laboratory at NHL is now equipped to respond to not only large-scale COVID-19 testing but also laboratory detection of other infectious diseases, preparing Timor-Leste for future outbreaks or pandemics.

International Development Partner's Role in the Empowerment of Women Through Education in South Punjab (2001-2020)

Role of international development partners to empower women through the provision of education in South Punjab (2001-2020) has been significant for the promotion of gender equality and empowering women in the region. The study utilizes a qualitative research design and employs the document analysis method to collect data from relevant documents including reports and publications by international development partners and government agencies. The data is analyzed using thematic analysis and the findings are presented in the form of themes and sub-themes. In conclusion, this study highlights the critical role of international development partners in the promotion of the rights of women through the provision of education facilities and gender equality in South Punjab. These challenges include cultural and societal norms, inadequate funding, and lack of political will. The study recommends that international development partners continue to work in collaboration with government agencies and social organizations to address these challenges and promotion of rights of women and gender equality in the region.

Sustainable financing of AYSRH programs by local governments through the TCI model.

Despite the existence of a legal policy framework, financing of adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) services has remained weak. External donors are the main financing agents, which has implications for the sustainability of service provision. International development partners have reduced funding for health programs from historically high levels. In Kenya, the health sector's budget allocation has remained below the 15% committed to under the Abuja declaration. With Kenya's devolved government structure, a greater proportion of financial resources are dedicated towards recurrent and structural expenses as opposed to addressing health systems gaps. The purpose of this manuscript is to assess the contribution of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Business Unusual model on AYSRH services in the counties of Kilifi and Migori, as well as to examine the institutionalization of high impact interventions (HIIs) within the annual work plan, budget, and systems of the said counties. Additionally, this study aims to analyse the trend in contraceptive uptake among adolescent and young women aged 15 to 24 in Kilifi and Migori counties. Migori and Kilifi Counties chose to partner with TCI to implement the Business Unusual model. Interested counties apply for the initiative's support and commit to contributing a portion of the funding needed to adapt and implement high impact interventions (HIIs). Based on the identified gaps, TCI supported the counties to prioritize the HIIs including integrated outreaches, youth fixed days, whole site orientation, youth champions, and youth dialogues. The program was implemented between July 2018 to June 2021 in 60 and 68 public health facilities of Kilifi and Migori Counties, respectively. The county teams identified and selected program implementation team whose key role was to coordinate, review, monitor, mobilize resources and report AYSRH program implementation progress. The results showed a 60% increase in financial commitments on AYSRH programming from 2018 to 2021 in both counties. The average expenditure for committed funds for Kilifi and Migori Counties was 116% and 41% respectively. As the counties continued to allocate and spend funds on the implementation of HIIs, there was a noticeable increase in contraceptive uptake among the young people aged 15 to 24 who visited health facilities for services. There was a 59% and 28% percentage increase in contraceptive uptake among young people (15-24 years) between 2018 and 2021. The proportion of adolescents amongst those presenting for first ANC clinic dropped from 29.4% in 2017 to 9% in 2021 in Kilifi County and from 32.2% in 2017 to 14% in 2021 in Migori County. Using the TCI's Sisi kwa Sisi coaching model of lead-assist-observe-monitor, 20 master coaches were trained. The master coaches cascaded the training to over 97 coaches. The coaches will continue to build capacity of peers in advocacy for resource mobilization and implementation of HIIs. At least nine of TCI's HIIs have been adopted in Kilifi and Migori County strategies and annual work plans, and there is financial support for their sustainability. The increase in adolescent contraceptive uptake might have been as a result of the system strengthening through self-financing of AYSRH programs, the institutionalization of HIIs, and the coaching. Local governments can invest in and sustain their own AYSRH programs, which will lead to an improvement in adolescent and youth access to contraceptive services and, as a result, a reduction in adolescent pregnancies, maternal mortality, and infant mortality.

Effect of renewable energy development on sustainable development of small and medium enterprises potentials in Nigeria

The effect of renewable energy (RE) development on the sustainable development of SMEs' potential in Nigeria was empirically done to unlock the possibility of deciphering the perennial energy problem in Nigeria. The development of renewable energy (RE) resources and utilization can greatly benefit Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria by providing a reliable, sustainable and cost-effective power supply. This is especially important, as many sectors of Nigeria's economy, including SMEs, are highly dependent on the poor power supply that is currently available. Thus, this study specifically examines the effect of RE resources availability, generation, system efficiency and effectiveness, and utilization on SMEs’ sustainable development potential in Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted and a population of 73,081 SMEs across Nigeria was utilized with a sample of 398 SMEs selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. A validated questionnaire was administered to the owners/managers of the selected SMEs, information obtained from the questionnaire was collated, scrutinized, and analyzed using Structural Equation Model (SEM) with the aid of SMART PLS 4 software through the structural model. The findings revealed that RE resources availability, generation, system efficiency and effectiveness, and utilization potentials of SMEs have a positive and significant effect on the potential development of SMEs in Nigeria. The study concluded that RE resources availability, generation, system efficiency and effectiveness, and utilization have significant influence on SMEs’ sustainable development potential in Nigeria. Thus, government, private sectors, and international development partners should focus on providing more resources, knowledge, and support to enable SMEs to access, generate and effectively use renewable energy resources more efficiently.

A Telecentre and Its Impact on a Rural Community in Kenya

Telecentres are an important resource in enabling millions of people in rural areas to participate in their development while bridging the global digital divide (Rogers & Shukla, 2001). Since most of these people in the rural areas are unlikely ever to own their computers, community telecentres increase access to ICT and are viewed as community resources that offer access to information and other services that community members need to make informed decisions to improve their livelihoods. Championing of the telecentre model by governments and international development partners has increased in developing countries. However, there is little information on how rural communities benefit from telecentre projects and whether information accessed through telecentres impacts their lives and livelihoods. The study set to find out whether information obtained from the Telecentre improves people’s welfare. Finally, the study looked at the prospects of telecentres in rural development. The study was based on fieldwork carried out in Nguruman Telecentre through evaluative and descriptive research designs and used both ethnographic the participatory research approach. This study shows there is a complex relationship between ownership, management, and sustainability of telecentres that needs further research. Nevertheless, community participation in telecentre activities is an essential element for the sustainability of such initiatives at the community level. Key informants pointed out and affirmed community participation. This is what improves local ownership according to Etta & Parvyn-Wamahiu (2003), which brings about the success and sustainability of the telecentre. Ownership suggests control but it is evident that the Nguruman community was not in control of the CKC. Instead, the CKC staff and volunteers who were employees of Arid Land Information Network- Eastern Africa usually had more say in the decisions affecting the daily activities of the center. Telecentres have a definite role in the development process. They play an important role in information and education, which is key to development and seen as an important human right. Therefore there is a need to provide support in initiating, maintaining, and running telecentres. This study suggests forging partnerships (also referred to by a key informant as public-private partnerships - PPPs) for the financial sustainability of telecentres in rural communities. The design of telecentres should have non-users in mind. This requires taking into consideration the practical needs and realities of non-users who have reservations about using the centers, whether this is because of inappropriate location, access in terms of opening hours, lack of trained staff, and poor publicity.

Development trajectories of mediation support structures in the AU, ECOWAS, IGAD and SADC

ABSTRACT The intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) that form the African Peace and Security Architecture introduced mediation support structures (MSS) to improve their ability to mediate in conflicts. But the effectiveness of MSS has been mixed. This study examines whether and why the MSS of four IGOs – the African Union, Economic Community of West African States, Intergovernmental Authority for Development and Southern African Development Community – developed the ability to fulfil the four core functions of MSS: (1) supporting mediators, (2) providing training, (3) managing knowledge, and (4) networking. It compares the operationalisation and utilisation of MSS and explores market dynamics in their development. The study found that MSS capabilities, utilisation and sustainability depended on whether their development was driven mainly by the demand for professional support by mediators, technical staff and political decision-makers, or by the supply of services offered by entrepreneurial non-government organisations and by readily available funding from international development partners.

Assessing Malawi’s recent development of a National Oral Health Policy – learning for the future

Background Policymakers in many low- and middle-income countries do not prioritize oral health and are inadequately informed about the burden of oral and maxillofacial problems, their connection with systemic health and the possible threat to human life. In Africa, the absence of oral health policies is a key problem contributing to increased oral disease burden, health workforce shortage, and inadequate oral health service provision. Context-relevant policies and research to determine needs and monitor progress are key components in eradicating oral health inequalities. This paper focuses on the work of Malawi to follow the direction of travel outlined at the 2021 World Health Assembly by developing its first National Oral Health Strategy and Implementation Plan. Methods A case study approach examined the processes followed by Malawi to develop its National Oral Health Policy, launched in April 2022. The aim was to understand how oral health policy is being developed within the context of an African country. Specifically, the objectives were to identify how oral health policy was being developed in Malawi and the contributors to the development of that policy. Qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews (n=8) of purposively selected key informants from the Malawi National Oral Health Policy Taskforce team involved in the policy creation. Data were analyzed in the thematic areas within the Health Policy Triangle of actors, context, processes, and content. Results The policy development process was guided by Malawi’s Ministry of Health and involved a diverse group of actors, both local and international. The funding of the policy development process by the Scottish Government and Borrow Foundation provided critical support. Five groups of stakeholders have conducted the relevant background investigations and written the Oral Health Policy: international development partners, academics, policy experts, dental practitioners, and civil society organizations. The partnership skill-sharing and well-managed dynamics of the group, together with the reliable funding base, all contributed to a successful outcome. Conclusions A multisectoral approach was used. Malawi is uniquely placed in its oral health policy development, having a solid stakeholder base (local and international) and resources to support the policy development and, partly, its implementation.

Theoretical aspects of the formation of anti-corruption policy from the perspective of public administration (based on the experience of developing countries)

The article examines in detail issues related to the formation of anti-corruption policies and strategies aimed at preventing corruption, as well as establishing relationships with the public sector and management reforms. At the same time, the fight against corruption is defined as an integral part of the national anti-corruption policy and as such, which is a preventive mechanism for fighting corruption. The study is based on the examples of developing countries: Georgia, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Tanzania and Zambia, etc. These countries were selected based on the following criteria: the existence of a clear national anti-corruption policy or strategy; supporting efforts to fight corruption by international development partners. It is noted that anti-corruption measures should be included in a coordinated policy, and not carried out in isolation, and approaches to the fight against corruption cannot be limited only to technocratic solutions aimed at solving certain systemic problems. The article emphasizes the sphere of public policy and thus recognizes the political nature of anti-corruption work. In addition, the emphasis is on a strategic approach, which is becoming more evident, and the prevention and fight against corruption is not an end in itself, but promotes integrity and accountability, as well as the proper management of public affairs, which are key components of effective governance and important prerequisites for sustainable development. The authors prove that the development of anti-corruption policy does not follow a linear model, where implementation is a simple implementation of government documents in practice, and failures are mostly explained by the lack of political will, resources or understanding of the nature of the problem. The article examines the advantages and disadvantages of legislative directions for the formation of anti-corruption policy in developing countries.

Modeling and Forecasting Somali Economic Growth Using ARIMA Models

The study investigated the empirical role of past values of Somalia’s GDP growth rates in its future realizations. Using the Box–Jenkins modeling method, the study utilized 250 in-sample quarterly time series data to forecast out-of-the-sample Somali GDP growth rates for fourteen quarters. Balancing between parsimony and fitness criteria of model selection, the study found Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average ARIMA (5,1,2) to be the most appropriate model to estimate and forecast the trajectory of Somali economic growth. The study sourced the GDP growth data from World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) for the period between 1960 to 2022. The study results predict that Somalia’s GDP will, on average, experience 4 percent quarterly growth rates for the coming three and half years. To solidify the validity of the forecasting results, the study conducted several ARIMA and rolling window diagnostic tests. The model errors proved to be white noise, the moving average (MA) and Autoregressive (AR) components are covariances stationary, and the rolling window test shows model stability within a 95% confidence interval. These optimistic economic growth forecasts represent a policy dividend for the government of Somalia after almost a decade-long stick-and-carrot economic policies between strict IMF fiscal disciplinary measures and World Bank development investments on target projects. The study, however, acknowledges that the developments of current severe droughts, locust infestations, COVID-19 pandemic, internal political, and security stability, and that the active involvement of international development partners will play a crucial role in the realization of these promising growth projections.