Effective states that can deliver services, promote human rights and encourage growth are the foundation of development. Whilst some progress towards good governance is evident in many African countries, weakness in governance remains a key barrier to development. Without progress on governance all other reforms will have limited impact. What actions can outsiders take to support good governance? This report from the Commission for Africa proposes policies to improve the capacity and accountability of governments in Africa.
Research shows a strong link between improvements in the way states govern and better development results in terms of income per capita, child mortality and illiteracy. Improving the capacity of the state to delivery services along with better accountability for its policies and actions is central to governance reforms. Weak institutional capacity prevents the state from planning, budgeting, managing development assistance, providing services and monitoring and evaluating progress. Accountability is fundamental to the legitimacy of the state and the maintenance of human rights. Accountability is a necessary precondition of stability and mechanisms are needed to ensure that the voices of the poor are heard.
Overall, governance is getting better and the situation across Africa has improved in the last decade in terms of the growth of democratic systems, increased participation in the policy process, greater accountability and better economic management. However, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and violent conflict has undermined capacity for effective governance. Progress has also been limited because:
- There has not been enough commitment to long-term public service reforms and not enough emphasis on behavioural issues.
- Aid agencies have overloaded governments with procedural burdens, tied aid has stifled the development of the private sector and governments have become more accountable to donors than citizens.
- There has been a lack of professional skills and leadership, especially in the private sector. Much of Africa’s pool of skills has been lost to the developed world due to lack of incentives and basic equipment.
- Policies have failed because they are created without a full understanding of the local context. Participation in the policy process has not been fully inclusive and gender discrimination remains.
- The balance of power between the legislature and executive has tipped in favour of the executive and leaders have stayed in office beyond their constitutional tenure.
At the core of the governance problem is the lack of capacity of national and local government ministries. African leaders should work more closely together to make progress towards improved governance and Pan-African Organisations should be strengthened to this effect. Donors should:
- Coordinate their policies to provide support to comprehensive national strategies for capacity-building. Support efforts to increase participation and strengthen institutions that improve accountability, such as parliaments, local authorities, the media and the justice system.
- Commit to providing financial aid to revitalise Africa’s higher education institutions and to develop centres of excellence in science and technology.
- Put pressure on companies to be more transparent in their activities in developing countries and to adhere to international codes and standards for behaviour.
- Give strong political and financial support to schemes such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to increase the transparency of payments made to and received by governments.
- Encourage Export Credit Agencies to be more transparent and take necessary steps to repatriate illicitly acquired state funds and assets.
- Provide financial aid to improve systems to collect and analyse statistics.
Please note that this summary was written by and for the GRC.
