Policy In sub-Saharan Africa Research Articles

Decrypting the EU’s Good Governance Promotion Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Through Development Cooperation

Decrypting the EU’s Good Governance Promotion Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Through Development Cooperation

Predicting harmful alcohol use prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa between 2015 and 2019: Evidence from population-based HIV impact assessment.

Harmful alcohol use is associated with significant risks to public health outcomes worldwide. Although data on harmful alcohol use have been collected by population-based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA), there is a dearth of analysis on the effect of HIV/ART status on harmful alcohol use in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries with PHIA surveys. A secondary analysis of the PHIA surveys: Namibia (n = 27,382), Tanzania (n = 1807), Zambia (n = 2268), Zimbabwe (n = 3418), Malawi (n = 2098), Namibia (n = 27,382), and Eswatini (n = 2762). Using R version 4.2, we analysed the uptake and correlates of harmful alcohol consumption in SSA. The cutoff point for statistically significant was P<0.05. Of the 12,460 persons, 15% used alcohol harmfully. Harmful alcohol use varied by countries and ranged from 8.7% in Malawi to 26.1% in Namibia (P<0.001). Being female or HIV-positive and on ART were associated with less-likelihood of harmful alcohol consumption however persons that were HIV-positive and not on ART was associated with higher likelihood of harmful alcohol use (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.32-1.69, P<0.001). The best performing models were Lasso or Super Learner or Random Forest were the best performing models while gradient boosting models or sample mean did not perform well. Harmful alcohol use was high. Harmful alcohol use varied by countries, sex, age, HIV/ART status and marital status. Therefore, there is a need to introduce or enforce harmful alcohol use control policies in SSA through taking into account these characteristics.

Political Economy of Agriculture and Food Policy in Africa

This article reviews the literature on the political economy of agricultural and food policy in sub-Saharan Africa. In doing so, it first presents a conceptual framework highlighting that agricultural and food policy decisions are contingent on the intersection between governance structures, the preferences and pressures from societal interest groups, and international dynamics. The interrelations among these three factors are then examined across several different sets of policy instruments that have been the focus of traditional political economy research in the region: trade, tax, and marketing policies; public investments and regulations; input and food subsidies; and cross-cutting policies for value chain development. Recognizing several broader demographic, technology, and governance transitions in the region, the article also highlights key areas for future analysis that examine the role of cities in food policy, the possibilities presented by expanded mobile phone and Internet access, and the efficacy of new public administration modalities for policy implementation.

Climate smart agricultural policy in sub-Saharan Africa: a case study of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality of North West Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT This paper analyses climate-smart agricultural (CSA) policies and strategies in sub-Saharan Africa, using a case study of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in South Africa. It is argued that the development and implementation of coherent policies is one of the approaches to offering effective responses to adaptation and to mitigating the influences of climate change. The results of the study, which drew on qualitative data gathered through participatory research, showed that 30%, 70%, 50%, and 60% of the community members, farmers, NGOs, and government participants were unaware of or did not understand climate-smart agriculture practices. Additionally, this study highlighted the absence of awareness and knowledge of CSA policies across all participants, indicating a significant gap in information dissemination and education on sustainable agricultural practices. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted education and awareness initiatives to promote climate-smart agriculture in the region. Without a proper understanding and implementation of CSA practices, communities in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality struggle to adapt to the changing climate and its impacts on agriculture. The results emphasise the necessity of raising awareness among different stakeholders in order to enhance the efficacy of agricultural practices’ adaptations to climate change. In order to ensure sustainable agricultural practices in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, it is imperative that practices like collaboration, CSA technology, integration, financing, increased private sector involvement in CSA promotion, and sector-specific policies foster an environment that is favourable to CSA practices.

Navigating complexity: integrating political realities into energy system modelling for effective policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

The imperative for rapid low-carbon transformations in social and economic systems has heightened reliance on systems modelling to inform decisions. Energy models are pivotal in shaping viable pathways and guiding interventions, thereby influencing policy agendas and public discourse. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, the utilization of model-based analysis for energy planning and policy remains limited, largely due to deficiencies in existing models. Research indicates that many of these models are ill-equipped to capture the context-specific challenges prevalent in African countries. Despite offering valuable insights, most models lack representation of uncertainties associated with political and governance dynamics. These findings underscore the urgent need to enhance domestic institutions’ modelling capabilities. While technical expertise is crucial, this paper contends that, given the inherently political nature of energy policy decisions, modelers must be cognizant of the political landscape in which problems are modelled and solutions are sought. We assert that energy modellers aiming to influence policies must endeavour to comprehend the underlying political economy at the intersection of energy planning and policymaking. Expanding on this premise, we delineate practical steps that modelling teams can adopt to conduct political economy analysis and grasp the factors influencing energy policymaking. By adhering to these steps, we posit that modelling teams could enhance the relevance, realism, and applicability of policy options proposed through modelling efforts.

The Disenfranchisement of Practitioners and the Public Sector in Innovative Urban Farming in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from Nigeria

Innovative urban farming is crucial for enhancing food security, nutrition, livelihood resilience, and environmental sustainability in Sub-Saharan African cities. However, agricultural policies and extension services often overlook urban contexts, presumably due to resource constraints. Yet, to improve productivity, understanding the challenges and opportunities of innovative urban farming is essential. Exploratory qualitative research, including focus group discussions, was conducted in, Lagos, Nigeria, to gather insights from stakeholders. The analysis, using mind maps and a consensus index, compared the perspectives of private urban farmers and public sector representatives. The urban farmers recognize the potential of circular agri-food technologies, like hydroponics, aquaponics, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), drip irrigation, sack farming, and waste upcycling, to boost productivity. However, the urban farmers perceive a lack of public sector support for these innovations. The public sector representatives see the problem as urban farmers’ behavioral and educational shortcomings, particularly their lack of coordination and commitment to adopting innovations. These differing views highlight the complex dynamics between urban farmers and local agricultural policymakers. This study emphasizes the need for structural changes and local-level stakeholder dialogues for developing effective urban farming policies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

An analytical framework for breast cancer public policies in Sub-Saharan Africa: results from a comprehensive literature review and an adapted policy Delphi

BackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in women and is a major public health problem worldwide. Despite the lower incidence rates of breast cancer in resource-limited settings, especially sub-Saharan Africa, there is a higher mortality rate compared to high-resource countries where the disease has a higher incidence. This makes breast cancer the second deadliest cancer in African women. These poor results reflect the weakness in public health policies. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the effective control of breast cancer by designing a framework for a comprehensive and systemic analysis of these policies in Sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThis research is based on a literature review that adopted a systematic approach followed by a modified policy Delphi involving breast cancer experts in Sub-Saharan Africa. We included narrative reviews and systematic reviews/meta-analyses published between 2015 and 2022 as well as official documents in the analysis. We integrated the World Health Organization’s health system building blocks with Walt and Gilson’s policy analysis triangle to analyse the information collected and develop our analytical framework.ResultsA total of 22 reviews and documents were included in the study. Sixteen breast cancer experts from Sub-Saharan Africa participated in the first Delphi round, and nine participated in the second round. The different components identified for a comprehensive and systemic analysis of effective breast cancer policies can be classified into policy content divided according to the health system building blocks and related policy processes; individual, organized national and international policy stakeholders; and policy contexts.ConclusionThis study enabled the design of a framework suitable for the comprehensive and systemic analysis of breast cancer control policies in Sub-Saharan Africa. This framework can be used as a checklist for stakeholders to guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of policies and specific breast cancer control programmes at the national and facility levels.

Institutionalizing foresight in science, technology, and innovation in sub‐Saharan Africa

AbstractMotivationForesight is increasingly being institutionalized and used in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy processes around the world. Foresight is a toolbox to help decision‐makers generate intelligence about future scientific and technological advances and to frame long‐term STI policy goals and rationales. Foresight can be used to inform policy to steer research and innovation (R&amp;I) towards attaining sustainable development goals. Yet, foresight is not institutionalized and used in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) at a time when many governments are formulating new STI policies and some of their science granting councils (SGCs) are setting R&amp;I priorities.PurposeThis exploratory study is about challenges and opportunities of institutionalizing STI foresight in SSA. It identifies ways of institutionalizing and using STI foresight.Methods and approachA literature review, bibliometric analysis, interviews, an online survey, and focus group discussions were conducted to identify challenges to, and lessons for, institutionalizing STI foresight in SSA. The literature identified good practices for institutionalizing STI foresight in selected developed countries, to draw lessons for SSA.FindingsWhile academic research on STI foresight and related topics is increasing, there is very limited foresight practice in STI policy processes in SSA. This is mainly owing to low awareness of STI foresight, weak technical capacity, and generally a lack of foresight culture in STI policy‐making in the region.Policy implicationsBuilding capacity within governments and establishing a community of practice in STI foresight may help improve the quality and effectiveness of STI policy in SSA. It may enable institutions such as science granting councils (SGCs) to make informed funding decisions, targeting scarce resources at priority research and innovation. Overall, building STI foresight literacy and skills, as well as establishing designated offices for STI foresight, supported by the knowledge to select and adapt foresight tools, will result in improved STI policy‐making in SSA.

Innovative governance for transformative energy policy in sub-Saharan Africa after COVID-19: Green pathways in Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa

Learning from innovations that fail is imperative for innovations that succeed. The theoretical underpinnings for this innovative framing are reflexivity, transformative unlearning, and intelligent failure. This framework proposes a definition of “transformative governance” as governance that creates structural equities. Governments rebuilding their economies after the COVID-19 pandemic seek equitable green transformations; that are gendered, structural, and sustainable, learning from the implemented gender-sensitive responses (hereafter referred to as policy innovations). This paper argues that transformative practices, beliefs, values, assumptions, policies, and systematic learnings are complementary to post-crisis transformations. The aim is to promote systematic learnings from innovation governance failure regarding energy policy through the analysis of COVID-19 practices and the unlearning of policy innovation beliefs, values, and assumptions that are not transformative. I ask: how gender-equitable, structurally equitable, and green-transformative were the COVID-19 policy innovations? The study's approach is qualitative and situated within the constructivist research paradigm. It uses reflexive thematic analysis combined with innovative coded policy narrative and a transformative index-matching technique, to identify the gap within transformative interventions. The study included 58 policy innovations (n = 58) collected from the UNDP, KPMG, government reports, and news flashes from the three most populous nations in sub-Sahara Africa: Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. The study found that policy innovations were inequitable in terms of gender, structure, and sustainability whereas the derived transformative pathways are equitable and gender-transformative, structurally transformative, and green-transformative. The rationales behind a transformative approach to policy reflect the systemic failures across key areas: market dynamics, research and development, and green transformation. Policy innovators can align transformative pathways for innovative governance that implements transformative energy policy. To address the needs of multiple fragile and vulnerable identities, the derived post-pandemic framework is an intersectional plan with 10 policy learning pillars. The plan includes local energy transformation and reinforcement of energy justice components, such as the localization of the energy industry, community power, and social norms, including Ubuntu, which translates to “I am because we are.” Reengagement in global supply chains requires South-South trade relations to be restrategized.

THE STATUS OF ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF NIGERIA AND TANZANIA (2002-2023)

While research has considered the effectiveness of language policies on English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in Nigeria and Tanzania, no comparative studies of both countries currently exist. To address this gap, this paper adopted a systematic review approach. One of the principles arising from the British Council Jubal Language-in-Education Conference (2012), a key point of reference for language policy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), states that the transition from one language to another as a medium of instruction should be a gradual process and not a sudden one; the change should take place after learners have become competent in their mother tongue and proficient in the second language. Arising from this, the aim of this study was to determine why students in Tanzania, who spend a longer time learning in their mother tongue before transiting to English (Kumar, 2015), still face significant challenges with English compared to Nigerians who follow the early transition model (NPE, 2014). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach was used to ensure a robust analysis was undertaken (Sarkis-Onofre, Catala-Lopez, Aromatris &amp;amp; Lockwood, 2021). The paper concludes that the challenges in the Tanzanian context are not related to the policy but to its ineffective implementation. Recommendations for Nigeria’s use of the late exit model (NLP, 2022), stress that policymakers should draw lessons from the weaknesses of the Tanzanian case and develop strategies to implement the model effectively.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0601/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Dual citizenship policy in sub-saharan Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Nigeria and Angola

In recent decades, recognition of dual citizenship has been one of the ways countries have sought to maintain ties with emigrants and immigrants. Sub-Saharan African countries, which are mainly countries of emigration, have been a part of this trend, however not all of them. This research paper investigates the cases of Nigeria and Angola, two dissimilar countries in the region that have both recognized dual citizenship, to discover reasons that fueled the policy. It finds out that the political dynamic of a democratic transition is an underlying factor that led to the acceptance of dual citizenship in both countries.

University Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring Best Practices.

Addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in educational settings across the globe, particularly in institutions of higher education, requires strong institutional framework and policy guidelines. Most research about university SGBV policies has focused on high-income countries with little or no recourse to universities in low- and middle-income countries. This policy analysis aims to analyze existing policies related to SGBV from select sub-Saharan African universities to provide guidance on best practices toward addressing SGBV at universities in Africa. Seven university policies and six national policies from six countries across sub-Saharan Africa (Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) were reviewed using a standardized data extraction form. The policy analysis identified eight key elements of policies related to SGBV for sub-Saharan African universities, which were verified using a nominal group technique with five international experts in the field. Overall, policies varied significantly in accessibility, terminology, definitions, format, and inclusivity across the sites. Some of the policies were not readily accessible, and there was limited evidence provided in some of the policy documents. Policies for universities in sub-Saharan Africa should (a) be evidence based, (b) be readily available in multiple formats, (c) define key terms broadly with gendered signifiers, (d) be succinct and concise, (e) incorporate broad definitions for all university stakeholders, (f) identify who created the policy and when, (g) address prevention, and (h) address response. Evidence-based policies addressing SGBV prevention, response, and justice are sorely needed at universities across the globe.

The Need for Children's Surgical Care Prioritisation in National Surgical Care Policies: A Systematic Review of National Surgical Obstetric and Anaesthetic Plans (NSOAPs) in Sub-Saharan Africa

BackgroundChildren born in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have an 85 % risk of requiring surgical care by the age of 15 [1,2]. Yet, children's surgery has been largely neglected by global health policies. National Surgical Obstetric and Anaesthetic Plans' (NSOAPs) reflect countries' strategic health priorities, policies, and targets related to surgical care. This study assessed the prioritisation of children's surgical care in national surgical care policies in SSA. MethodsThis systematic review of national surgical care policies in SSA conducted in December 2022, analysed NSOAPs developed in SSA electronically for search terms “child∗”, “pediatric∗”, “paediatric∗” and evaluated manually for children's surgical care in relation to the NSOAP domains, health system building blocks, and surgical care. Policies were evaluated for collaboration. ResultsEight policies met the inclusion criteria. In the 797 (M = 99.63; SD = 34.83) text-containing pages analysed, there were 258 (15.5; 0–164) mentions of children's surgery search terms. Twenty-five percent (n = 2) of the NSOAPs dedicated sections to children's surgical care, 62.5 % (n = 5) mentioned children's surgery, and 12.5 % (n = 1) did not mention children's surgery. Children's surgery received citations in 25 % (n = 2) of backgrounds, 37.5 % (n = 3) of situational analyses, 87.5 % (n = 7) of strategic frameworks, 37.5 % (n = 3) of monitoring and evaluation, and 25 % (n = 2) of the costing sections. Overall, 62.5 % (n = 5) of countries included a children's surgery stakeholder. ConclusionNSOAPs are a pragmatic measure of national surgical care priorities. Our findings suggest children's surgery is not widely recognised even where commitments to improving surgical care exist. Greater prioritisation of children's surgery is needed in surgical policy development.

Philanthropic donor agencies and social policy in sub-Saharan Africa – New perspectives to the “welfare mix”

AbstractThe role of external actors has now been widely acknowledged in shaping social policy processes in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, the social policy roles and influence of philanthropic donors have been less recognised and examined. As various countries in the region seek to expand social policy implementation and delivery and revitalise the development of national welfare systems, it is important to better understand the roles and functions of philanthropic donor agencies in the processes of agenda-setting, financing, and delivery of social policy. This article discusses the complex social policy functions held by philanthropic donor agencies in sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of the “welfare mix,” drawing attention to the divergencies and convergences between Western philanthropic donors and their African counterparts, while reflecting on the direction of future research agendas.

The main priorities of Russia's Foreign Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Historical experience and Modern approaches

The authors of the article consider the main directions of development of Russia's foreign policy in sub-Saharan Africa; show how the historical foundations of cooperation with sub-Saharan African countries were laid. Today, the African continent is one of the dynamically developing regions of the world with huge reserves of natural resources and human resources; the role of African countries in global political processes is also rapidly increasing, while developing countries are striving to create a multipolar world as opposed to the "rules-based world" imposed by the West. The Russian Federation as the successor of the USSR historically builds its relations with African countries on equal partnership basis, being guided in its foreign policy by the norms of international law. Such an approach lays a solid foundation for the active development of relations with African countries. From their side African countries are also manifesting increasing interest in hands cooperation with the Russian Federation, seeing it as reliable economic and political partner. The authors of the article come to the conclusion that it is necessary to activate Russian presence in Africa in the conditions of intensified competition for influence on the continent.

Counterterrorism Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa

In response to the escalating threat of terrorism, counterterrorism policies have been globally implemented. This social and political landscape has raised significant concerns about the impact on human rights fulfillment, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. To elaborate on this problem, this article critically examines the effects of these policies on human rights within the region, mainly by analyzing the legal and institutional frameworks that underpin counterterrorism strategies in various Sub-Saharan countries. Utilizing a qualitative research design, this study employs content analysis of legal documents, policy reports, and other relevant texts to explore the interplay between counterterrorism efforts and the protection of human rights. The study specifically evaluates the impact of these policies on civil and political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the right to privacy. It also addresses states' challenges in balancing social security needs with protecting human rights. The paper argues that while counterterrorism is necessary, it must be implemented in a manner that respects human rights and the rule of law. Therefore, the paper recommends that states adopt a human rights-centered approach as a counterterrorism strategy, ensuring that legal and institutional frameworks align with international human rights standards. This approach offers a hopeful path forward, promising both effective counterterrorism and the protection of human rights. Keywords: Counterterrorism, human rights, Policies, Sub-Saharan Africa

The Politics of Social Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Configurational Approach to Fee-Free Policies at the High School Level

Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are expanding access to high school education, which is a perpetuation of the previous focus on basic education. This study applies qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) using data from seven countries from 2010 to 2020 to examine the potential conditions of fee-free policies at the high school level. Five potential conditions are analyzed. They include the regime type, electoral competition, ideological lineage, economic conditions, and social context. The findings indicate the significant influence of electoral competition and a high level of lower secondary school enrolment for the adoption of fee-free policies. The absence of electoral competition leads to a lack of fee-free policy. The paper explains how elections, one indicator of representative democracy, motivate political leaders to initiate social policies. Additionally, the study challenges the relevance of two important explanations for expansionary social policy in the literature—the partisan theory of policy outcomes, and the economy.

Using Photovoice to Illuminate Challenges Facing Children with Disabilities in Inclusive Education in Ghana

Achieving inclusive and quality education for all children remains a significant problem amidst several policies in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explores challenges facing children with disabilities in mainstream inclusive education-based basic schools in a sub-Saharan Ghanaian context. A qualitative photovoice approach was employed to highlight the experiences of six (6) pupils with disabilities. Findings revealed three main themes: unfriendly environments, inaccessible physical structures, and lack of assistive equipment, reflecting significant challenges confronting children with disabilities in inclusive education settings. Social support from colleagues without disabilities, however, acted as a major coping resource for pupils with disabilities. The study has implications for policy an

Global Supply Chain Disruptions: Challenges for Inflation and Monetary Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Global Supply Chain Disruptions: Challenges for Inflation and Monetary Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Analysing the Extractive Industry Fiscal Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa

Analysing the Extractive Industry Fiscal Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa