Weak Institutional Framework Research Articles

An Examination of the Nigerian Climate Change Laws and Policies: Stagnation or Progress?

Climate change is a global issue that affects every country, a pressing issue that requires global response. Nigeria is one of the countries that are most affected by climate change. The Nigerian government has recognized the impact of climate change on the country's economy, health, and environment, and has put in place laws and policies to address the issue. However, the question remains whether these laws and policies are effective in mitigating the impact of climate change or if they are simply symbolic gestures with no real impact on the ground. This paper examines the Nigerian climate change laws and policies to determine whether they are contributing to progress or stagnation. The paper provides an overview of the Nigerian climate change laws and policies, including the Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy (2012) and the National Climate Change Policy (2013). It1 also examines the legal framework for climate change in Nigeria, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (1992). The paper then analyses the effectiveness of Nigeria's climate change laws and policies, especially the 2021 Act. The analysis is based on a review of relevant literature, as well as interviews with key stakeholders in Nigeria's climate change sector. The analysis reveals that while Nigeria has made some progress in addressing climate change, there are still significant challenges to be overcome. These challenges include a lack of funding, limited public awareness and understanding of climate change, and weak institutional frameworks. It concludes by recommending measures that can be taken to improve Nigeria's climate change laws and policies. Overall, the paper suggests that while Nigeria has made some progress in addressing climate change, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the country is better prepared to tackle this critical issue.

The Incorporation of the fpic Principle in South African Policy on Mining-Induced Displacements

Abstract The persistence of intense conflicts over land belonging to indigenous communities is a pressing issue in South Africa. This would resonate even more with the lived experiences of mine communities that are often having to grapple with the collateral socio-economic hardships and impoverishment effects. Matters can get even worse when the State has weak legal and institutional frameworks to regulate the use and possession of such highly contested lands. This paper explores the principle of free, prior and informed consent (fpic); its relevance and significance to South African extractive sector; its possible bottlenecks and implementation challenges; and suggestions for practical interventions and policy advances to facilitate its incorporation into law and policy. Displacement is the limited context within which this exploration is undertaken. The paper argues that the fpic – as an envisaged future for the country’s extractive policy – is more desirable than a mere duty to consult as currently framed in the empowering legislation namely, the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Act (mprda).

CHALLENGES FACING ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING IN AFRICAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: EMPIRICAL REVIEW

Increasing demand for higher education coupled with globalization has led to the adoption of online teaching and learning to cope with the growing number of students. Even though online teaching and learning have advantages, some challenges bedevil its smooth implementation. The purpose of this article was to present a literature review of the challenges that higher education institutions in Africa face concerning online teaching and learning. The method that was employed in the review was the scoping review method. Empirical studies from 25 African countries published between 2000 and 2023 were assembled and reviewed. In all, 65 studies were reviewed in terms of three themes namely: 1) level of readiness/preparedness for online teaching and learning 2) access and participation in online teaching and learning, and 3) effectiveness of online teaching and learning. The results suggest that most of the challenges confronting online teaching and learning in African higher education institutions include inadequate preparation/readiness to adopt an online mode of teaching and learning. Issues of lack of readiness include inadequate ICT infrastructure, low levels of ICT literacy among students and teachers, weak pedagogical skills of teachers, and weak institutional policy framework to drive online teaching and learning. The results further revealed that access and participation of students in online teaching and learning in most parts of Africa are poor due to poor internet connectivity, lack of electricity, lack of access devices such as laptops and smartphones as well as higher cost of data. The review additionally revealed issues of effectiveness such as limited collaboration and interaction among participants in the e-teaching and learning, inability to engage in practical work such as laboratory practical and some mathematical computations. Other issues discovered include poor pedagogical skills of teachers. These challenges must be addressed to enable African higher education institutions catch up with the rest of the world in the adoption and utilization of ICT in teaching and learning.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0075/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Credit information sharing and cost of debt: Evidence from the introduction of credit bureaus in developing countries

AbstractWe investigate the effect of credit information sharing on cost of debt, with particular focus on the introduction of credit bureaus in developing countries. Using a large dataset of firms from 28 developing countries over the period 2004–2019, we find that firms’ average cost of debt significantly declines following the introduction of credit bureaus. This finding is robust to an alternative measure of cost of debt, several firm‐ and country‐level controls and to firm‐ and year‐fixed effects. The reduction in cost of debt is more pronounced for less transparent firms and for firms domiciled in countries with weak institutional framework.

Family Firms and Research and Development Investment: The Moderator Effect of the Board Composition

From the perspective of agency and socio-emotional theories, the family firm’s innovation behavior differs from non-family companies. We investigate the relationship between the family element and Research and Development (R&D) investment, and how the moderating effect of the board composition affects this relationship. Using a panel data composed by 1,284 observations-year during the period 2004-2014 from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, empirical results show that family firms increase R&D investment when the moderating effect of the board composition is included. For instance, larger boards, the independence of the board, the COB-CEO duality and female directors motivates to a higher R&D and capital expenditures. These results confirm that board composition constitutes a monitoring mechanism of family members' actions, which leads to an increase of innovation strategies and suggest that family firms promote a long-term orientation with the purpose of preserving the wealth for next generations. This research contributes to the international literature analyzing a region not explored before and characterized by a weak institutional framework and lower rates on R&D investment compared to other emerging countries.

Water-energy-food nexus in the Great Lakes Region of Africa: Current status and prospects

Water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a concept that aims at integrating these three key economic drivers which are very crucial for the improving the livelihood of the people, general economic sustainable development and social well-being of the world population. The effective utilization and management of these key resources require in-depth planning assessment of symbiosis, competitions and concession with an essential contribution in the nexus. This paper aims at reviewing the WEF in the Great Lakes region of Africa with a focus in Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. The status and prospects in each country has been assessed and the interconnection between the three fundamental resources together with the effects of climate change towards the security of these resources in the selected countries have been discussed. The review has found out that the selected countries are indeed WEF insecure since the impacts of climate change and poor infrastructure play a vital role in the insecurities highlighted. In the focused countries, it was realized that the existence of weak institutional and legal frameworks, political instability and poor infrastructure indeed hinders the regional attainment of the WEF nexus for sustainable economic development. This therefore calls for a dire need for the adoption of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the WEF nexus through an integrated and holistic approach in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

Partial intermediary value-chain coordination and its effects on productivity of sweet potato in Tanzania

This study investigates the effect of partial intermediary coordination on Tanzania sweet potato productivity. A cross-sectional research design was used, and a sample of 100 small-scale farmers from Kilosa and Gairo Districts were surveyed using both purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data analysis tools included the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Microsoft Excel and Ethnographic Content Analysis. Three key value chain actors primary, secondary, and tertiary were identified by the study, along with their roles and linkages. The majority of farmers identified three main factors that affected crop productivity in the research area: Lack of improved cultivars, restricted access to cash, and small parcels cultivated. Coordination between the horizontal and vertical chain is critical for productivity and efficiency. The study also discovered that weak institutional frameworks exist among key participants in value chain nodes. Farmers and buyers conducted the majority of their business on the spot, and all agreements were unwritten. Meanwhile, only 6% of respondents reported that extension officers had notified them of market price offers and demands from profitable markets. Growers are unable to use innovative production techniques that could lead to economies of scale in shared services and collaborative ventures because of current production practices. It was noticed that rather than raising production, the existing intermediate corporations have contributed to lowering transaction costs. Despite these challenges, there is a lot of potentials for the sweet potato crop to transform rural livelihoods and turn into a valuable commodity. Governance needs to be supported by policies that improve market information flow and necessary infrastructures. While intermediate organizations are essential for improving market connections and lowering transaction costs for dispersed smallholders, it is critical for increasing productivity at the primary production level. Last but not least, the local government should put into effect a strategy designed to promote a climate suitable to the crop. Key words: Partial, Productivity, Coordination, Sweet potatoes, Value-Chain, Smallholders, Actors, Farmers

Water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa

Water, energy and food (WEF) security are key indicators of sustainable development. Realization of sustainable development goals (SDGs) by countries is achieved through a water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus framework. Climate change is a threat to food, energy and water security in the Horn of Africa. The main aim of this review is to assess the status and prospects of WEF nexus as it relates to SDGs in the horn of Africa. The countries considered were Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti. The review indicated that the four countries have a challenge in achieving SDGs 2, 6 and 7. Djibouti had the highest (50.9) WEF index in the region followed by Ethiopia and Somalia at 47.5 and 36.8, respectively while Eritrea had the lowest WEF index of 35.8. The energy sub-index was the best performer in the region with an average index of 56 while water and food sub-indices were the worst at 36. Political instability, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, weak institutional and legal framework are some of the challenges facing WEF and sustainable development in the region. Climate change adaptation measures should be incorporated into the water, energy, food and ecosystem (WEFE) nexus using an integrated approach. Modelling WEFE requires integration of models and should also focus on interactions among the sub-systems.

Towards a Greater Understanding of the Prevalence of Immigrant Entrepreneurship in the Informal Economy of Ghana: An Institutional Theory Perspective

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore the prevalence of immigrant entrepreneurship in Ghana's informal economy through institutional theory. Specifically, the study sought to understand how the elements of the institutional theory (norms, culture, and regulations, which form formal and informal institutions) support or discourage immigrant entrepreneurship in the Sub-Saharan African context, with insights from Ghana. It is qualitative research that adopts an in-depth face-to-face interview with 30 respondents. Analyzing the data from the interviews, the key findings are immigrants' inability to find paid jobs, failure to gather sufficient funds to operate in the formal sector, and the willingness to use innate ability. The Ghanaian culture of hospitality and the government's inability to implement trade regulations have been an enabler to the prevalence of immigrant entrepreneurship in Ghana. The legal frameworks that prohibit immigrants from participating in retailing, especially in the informal economy of Ghana, are well known by immigrant entrepreneurs, albeit it has yet to adhere. Therefore, there is a call for policy measures to address the weak institutional framework, which encourages disregard for the country's laws. Immigrant entrepreneurs who wish to remain in doing business in Ghana must obey the rules or suffer the punishment thereof.

Protection of the Rights of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Examining the Role of South African NGOs

In the past ten years, there were so many. The country rose to the challenge enacting one of the most liberal pieces of refugee legislation in the world. Despite these developments, the status of refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa, and their substantive access to human rights provisions, has in recent times been subjected to greater public and judicial scrutiny after the violent episode of xenophobic attacks unfolded in 2008. This sector of society has always been vulnerable as a result of numerous factors and the weak institutional framework for facilitating refugee rights, either in terms of suitable policies or their implementation has always been part of the broader human rights discourse in South Africa. This state of affairs, poses something of a unique challenge for NGO’s specializing in the area of refugee rights to advocate for their rights as well as to monitor the implementation of polices and processes, in an environment lacking political will and public support. This research essentially explores whether refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa have been able to claim rights they are entitled to, in a substantive manner and to examine the degree to which NGOs working in the area of human rights and tasked with assisting refugees, have been able to contribute in this regard. The researcher collected data from Ethiopian and Congolese refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa to examine their perception of the contribution by NGOS and also interviewed personnel from the three case study NGOs. It is obvious that NGOS have made significant contribution to the protection of refugees and asylum seekers and continue to do so. However, their effectiveness has decreased since their relationship with government department has changed and their agenda lacks public support and political will of political elites.

Response of Inclusive Growth to Development Aid in Africa and the Role of ICT Diffusion

Over the years, some regions of Africa have witnessed stable economic growth, which could not be considered pro-poor or inclusive given the region’s high rate of poverty and income inequality. Development aid flow, on the other hand, has been contended to be a pro-poor strategy, which could play a key role in the drive towards the achievement of sustainable, inclusive growth in Africa. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of development aid, which has been argued to be welfare-enhancing, especially in developing countries, taking into account digitalization. The research hypothesis is that development aid in the form of foreign aid and remittances promotes inclusive growth, especially in the face of digitalization in Africa. Premised on the inclusive growth-aid nexus, the study carried out panel data analysis using the common correlation effect technique for 50 African countries from 1996 to 2021. The main findings reveal that remittances have a welfare-enhancing effect through improving inclusive growth. Foreign aid, on the other hand, had a positive effect but was not significant, which was attributed to the weak institutional framework in the region. Digitalization was observed to have an adverse effect attributed to its high affordability. The theoretical contribution of the study is the incorporation of structural systems such as digitalization in the nexus between inclusive growth and development aid, which has been identified as a facilitator in the drive for inclusive growth. In terms of practical significance, the study highlights the need for digital reforms and investment in this sector as well as the need to address the institutional gap to mitigate the inefficiencies of development aid performance.

Institutional determinants of households’ financial investment behaviour across European countries

In this paper, we examine the influence exerted by formal and informal institutions on financial investment behaviour across households from 25 European countries. Our results reveal that people from former communist countries are less likely to make such financial decisions, while the same relationship holds for those who lived in countries that adopted either gradual or shock-therapy policies on the transition to capitalism. Our results reveal that institutional factors are associated with the propensity to invest in financial instruments. Specifically, our results show that the shorter the period of exposure individuals have had to a socialist system, the greater their intensity to invest in the stock market. Moreover, weak institutional frameworks and low quality of governance are generally linked to a lower likelihood that an individual will make financial investments in shares or stocks, with the effect being magnified in former communist countries. In addition, we find that households in Protestant countries are more likely to have investments in financial instruments compared to their Orthodox and Catholic peers, but the impact is diminished in former communist countries. Last but not least, different fractionalization indices affect the investment decisions differently, while different national cultural values and dimensions are significant variables that can shape these behaviours.

Effects of Water Policy Implementation and Management of Common Pool Resources in Turkana County, Kenya

Kenya and the sub-Saharan Africa nations could not accomplish the millennial advancement objectives plan on water and consequently the administration of water is in the core of manageable improvement objectives. This paper explored several reasons explaining why water policies are ineffective in Kenya, including; weak institutional frameworks, poor and unsustainable management schemes, fragmented approach to development of water resources and inadequate development of water infrastructure caused by conflict of interest by the implementing agencies. This study used descriptive research design, and targeted household heads and the county water staff in Loima Sub County. The study sample comprised 392 respondents. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire and KII. The study findings revealed that, community participation in water resource project management cycle was important for managing water as a shared resource. Moreover, the study established that non-governmental groups and the private sector were better at managing water as a shared resource. Furthermore, community participation in the management of water as a resource for common use was found not to be a determining factor in such management. The study concludes that water is a development challenge in Loima Sub County; it is thus essential to involve the community in the management of water as a common pool resource. The study therefore recommends that Turkana water government should improve performance of utilities through operationalize Turkana County Water Act 2019 and develop robust performance improvement plans based on diagnostic of the utility’s key challenges. Additionally, development of water and governance policy ought to guide management through co-creation in development of coherent and robust policy framework, operationalization roadmap and redesign the structure of water management committees through adoption of appropriate service delivery options based on context. Keywords: Water assets, Policy implementation, Decision making, Pool resources, Challenges

Elections and Electoral Processes in Somaliland: A Fading Democracy

After declaring its independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland has built a system to deliver basic services to its citizens. Despite having relatively good security, Somaliland has to date received no international recognition. With the presidential term extension made by the House of Elders (the Guurti) in October 2022, politics in Somaliland is at fever pitch. Public demonstrations, sporadic clashes, mass arrests, and hate speech add to a general sense of political disorder. Several factors have shaped the current outlook for democracy in Somaliland, including clan politics, a rent-seeking mentality, and weak institutional and legal frameworks. This study seeks to emphasise the contentious way in which elections have been held in Somaliland, and which have led to a loss of confidence in the country. The results, as witnessed in the 2017 presidential election, led to disputes, mass protests, and loss of life. Election time in Somaliland has therefore been a cause of concern for both political parties and the Somaliland Election Commission. In the battle for political leadership, the pre- and post-electoral aftermath has become conventional. But the main victim of the battle for political leadership has been the Somaliland Election Commission which is torn between contesting political parties.

Creating the Conditions for Intergenerational Justice: Social Capital and Compliance

Creating the Conditions for Intergenerational Justice: Social Capital and Compliance

Livelihood Impacts of Large-Scale Agricultural Investments Using Empirical Evidence from Shashamane Rural District of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

The impact of Large Scale Agricultural Investments (LSAI) on local people’s livelihood improvement has received less attention than it deserves in Ethiopia in general, and the Oromia regional states in particular. The main objective of this study was to analyze the impact of LSAI, which began operations in 2008, on 10,000 hectares of fertile land in the Shashamane rural district of Oromia region, Ethiopia to enhance the quality of life of the local people. A quasi-experimental study design strategy was used to achieve this goal. We obtained primary data from 300 households, comprising 134 treatment homes (households in a community with LSAI) from the Shashamane rural district and 166 control households (households in a community without LSAI) from the Shala district using systematic random sampling. Analysis was undertaken using principal component analysis (PCA) and propensity score matching (PSM). The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) was used to examine the theoretical concept with empirical findings. According to the Average Treatment Effect on Treated (ATT) results, the treated households’ natural, human, and financial capital were −0.91, −0.81, and −0.15 less than control families, respectively. Loss of household livelihoods has deepened and exacerbated local poverty. Businesses have not mechanized and controlled these sizable portions of the parcel; instead, peasants have worked on them and exploited the idle parcel. The research suggests that the government’s pro-LSAI investment policy is desirable. However, weak institutional frameworks for protecting local people’s livelihoods as well as LSAI malpractice and the lack of continuous follow-up are causing the LSAI policy to fail. To mitigate the negative impact of LSAI on peasants, it is necessary to consider the local people’s livelihoods, responsive institutions, and accountable ventures.

Impediments to Public-Private Partnership Projects In Aftermath of Covid-19 Pandemic

India has enjoyed impressive economic growth over the past two decades. The country possesses the world’s second-largest road system, fourth-largest rail system, and fifth-largest electric power generating manufacturing capability. Despite progress and good prospects for the future, investors continue to face many challenges, which have worsened after Covid-19. Nearly 90% of the world’s population has faced travel restrictions, a sharp decline in the global economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. There had been significant downward trend in the infrastructure investment during Pandemic, keeping in view the slowdown of private investment in infrastructure; the present study was carried out to investigate the complexities in PPP infrastructure projects by looking at the elements that impede the successful implementation of PPP in India. The study relies on primary and secondary data. To better understand the constraints to PPP implementation, a questionnaire survey was performed to collect the viewpoints of partners who have a good grasp of the PPP concept and have worked on PPP projects in India. There was a total of 94 valid submissions. The overall findings show that the top five challenges for speeding PPP in India are ‘Inefficient and inequitable risk allocation in PPPs,’ ‘Over leveraged debt and paucity of equity,’ ‘Weak regulatory and institutional frameworks,’ ‘Delay in issuing clearances by authorities,’ and ‘Land selection and acquisition.

Nexus Between Tax Havens and Illicit Financial Flow of Funds(IFFs) from Africa: A Theoretical Review

This paper examined the nexus between tax havens and illicit financial flow of funds with particular reference to capital flows out of the African continent. Qualitative content analysis method supported with empirical data obtained from multilateral agencies was used for the study. The dataset covered forty-four (44) African countries for the period 2005-2014 respectively. Results revealed that the absence of political will, weak institutional framework, poor regulatory oversight and the unbridled scramble for the continent’s mineral resources are some of the key factors responsible for the continued rise in IFFs from Africa. The study also found that the absence of global consensus on the proper treatment of tax havens remains a challenge to fostering the needed international collaboration to fight the scourge. It therefore recommended that critical stakeholders like the press and civil society groups in their roles as public watchdogs need to do more to track and report incidences of IFFs timeously. Also, on the international front, efforts must be made to ensure that the proposed new minimum, global corporate tax rate of 15% is adhered to as a needed first step to discourage funds flow to tax havens. Keywords: Tax Havens, Illicit financial flow of funds, Tax Evasion, Africa, Economic Development JEL Classification: B22, E63, H26 DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/13-2-06 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Why We Lack in Basic Sanitation? An Assessment of Challenges in Ajmer and Solution Strategies

Purpose of the study: The paper attempts to find the answer to the question – Why do we lack in basic sanitation? What are the reasons for it? Paper introspects the challenges encountered in sanitation services for Ajmer district in Rajasthan. It identifies the key bottlenecks of the sanitation system to the ground realities of implementation for a non-metropolitan city. The article also outlines the way forward which is suggested to make the sanitation system in the city more available to all. Methodology: The paper is drawn on policy document analysis, urban sanitation policy and other Indian government promotional materials on urban sanitation, Indian municipalities, and a number of public-private partnerships. The paper reviews the extant literature on urban sanitation and thereafter examines challenges met in Ajmer district of Rajasthan. Main findings: It emphasizes the major challenges of access to sanitation, lack of private sector engagement, lack of regulation and standardization, treatment of wastewater and septage, low infrastructure, weak institutional framework etc. The Paper also proposes suggestions for meeting these challenges so that a proper system of sanitation may emerge. Applications of this study: This study will be useful for all those agencies who are involved with sanitation system governance. The paper contributes to the literature by addressing a neglected theme of investigating the challenges and their probable solution strategies about Ajmer district of Rajasthan. The study will provide background of various challenges faced in various cities in Indian perspectives and how they can be dealt by proposed suggestions. This study will be beneficial in the area of sanitation systems, urban governance, etc. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study is significant in highlighting the type of challenges and what could be possible solutions in Indian perspectives with special reference to Ajmer.

Safe Mining Assessment of Artisanal Barite Mining Activities in Nigeria

Barite, used in mud formulation, is mined in several places to support the industry. However, there is insufficient literature on the downside of mining and associated hazards, especially in the artisanal barite mining sector. This paper contains three parts. The initial section reviews major causes of mining accidents and health hazards in Nigeria. The second section examines existing but weak institutional frameworks and policies for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Nigeria. In the third part, data from questionnaires and heavy metal contamination assessment are compared with health and environmental standards to identify and characterize hazards. It was observed that 54% had health challenges traceable to illicit drugs, and 54% were ignorant about the use of safety kits. The UV-Vis, AAS, and ICP-MS analyses confirmed lead, barium, zinc, copper, and iron in the water samples. Index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF) show that water samples are moderate to highly polluted by Pb2+, Ba2+, and highly contaminated. The chronic daily intake assessment and health quotient analysis revealed that the accumulation of lead and barium is possible and can initiate chronic diseases in humans over a long time. Certain safe mining protocols and controls are recommended.