Public Sector Reforms in Africa: What Lessons have we Learnt?
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Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
In Forum for Development Studies
Abstract
Several public sector reforms (PSR) have taken place in Africa over the last few
decades with varying degrees of success; these range from very excellent
performance, to limited success and then failure. However, regardless of the
evaluation results, they have without a doubt had an impact on the way we
understand and shape public management on the African continent. Inevitably, a
number of insights and lessons have been gained on the subject matter. In this
article, I suggest that a number of lessons have been learnt which should guide
reformers to improve on public sector reforms and scholars to seek further
explanations for failure and success. There is also the need for students of public
sector reforms to question further the prevailing assumptions and theories
underpinning these reforms. The 10 lessons highlighted are: (1) there is need to
acknowledge the importance of culture and context, because at times local values
contradict the content of reform efforts; (2) PSR need both political support and
support from the civil society; (3) PSR take time to bear fruit; (4) incremental
implementation may be better; (5) not all support for PSR is altruistic; (6)
corruption still hinders reform in Africa; (7) there is a need to revisit the role of
donors; (8) first things first – let us create a credible public sector before we
reform it; (9) ownership of reform programmes by African governments and
other stakeholders is necessary; and (10) despite these reforms, Africa still
remains poor.
Description
Keywords
Public sector reforms, Africa, New public management, Civil service, Donors
Citation
Gerald Kagambirwe Karyeija (2012) Public Sector Reforms in Africa: What Lessons have we Learnt?, Forum for Development Studies, 39:1, 105-124, DOI: 10.1080/08039410.2011.635378