In 2008, the World Bank commissioned ALG to undertake a critical study focused on Improving Transparency and Accountability of Local Government in Francophone Africa (LOGTAFA). This initiative, spanning Guinea, Rwanda, and Burkina Faso, aimed to address the pressing need for enhanced governance practices within the region.

Core Objectives of the LOGTAFA Project

The LOGTAFA project was designed with a three-pronged approach:

1. Identification and Analysis of Good Governance Practices: The project sought to pinpoint and examine successful governance strategies employed by local governments in Sub-Saharan Africa. The focus areas included critical stages of the governance process: programming, budgeting, service delivery, procurement, and audit/monitoring. The study emphasized practices that fostered greater public participation, accountability to citizens, and overall transparency.
2. Documentation and Dissemination of Best Practices: A key component of the project was the documentation and widespread sharing of identified good governance practices. This was achieved through comprehensive case studies, in-country stakeholder meetings, and discussions centered around piloting these successful strategies. The aim was to increase the visibility of effective local governance models, encourage policymakers to adopt them, and facilitate a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences.
3. Encouraging Dialogue and Partnerships: The project actively promoted dialogue at both national and sub-regional levels. It supported the establishment of collaborative partnerships between elected councils, local government executive branches, NGOs, and community-based organizations. These partnerships were instrumental in creating more transparent and accountable local governance mechanisms.

The Expertise we provided

The  primary focus was on the first component of the project. It involved rigorous identification and assessment of good governance practices through in-depth case studies. These case studies served as the foundation for subsequent dissemination and networking activities under the project’s second and third components.

Description of the Assignment

The consultant’s task was multifaceted. It involved:

• Identifying and Assessing Good Governance Practices: The consultant systematically identified and evaluated good governance practices implemented by local governments in key operational areas. The assessment focused on practices that demonstrably enhanced public participation, ensured downstream accountability, and promoted transparency.
• Conducting Qualitative and Quantitative Assessments: The consultant employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative assessments. This involved a deep dive into the formal and informal processes through which local governments and civil society interacted. The aim was to understand how these interactions contributed to holding local governments accountable, improving their responsiveness to citizens, and enhancing overall service delivery, particularly for the poor and vulnerable.

Assessing local governance good practices 

While the indicator development process drew upon existing literature, stakeholder discussions, and consultations with the World Bank, the evaluation criteria were carefully designed to consider the following key characteristics:

• Problem-Solving Orientation: The extent to which the practice addressed a specific development challenge.
• Citizen-Centric Approach: The degree to which the practice focused on citizens, especially marginalized groups.
• Partnership and Collaboration: The level of collaboration with citizen groups, the private sector, and/or civil society.
• Accountability Enhancement: The contribution of the practice to improving government accountability.
• Coverage and Reach: The percentage of the population positively impacted by the practice.
• Cost-Effectiveness: The cost implications of implementing the practice.
• Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness: The impact of the practice on the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
• Influence on Decision-Making: The extent to which the practice influenced key local government decision-making processes (programming, budget execution, service delivery, audit, and monitoring).
• Sustainability and Institutionalization: The flexibility and adaptability of the practice to ensure its long-term sustainability and institutionalization.

The ALG’s mission, as exemplified by the World Bank’s LOGTAFA project, underscores a steadfast commitment to strengthening governance structures in Francophone Africa. By identifying, assessing, and promoting good governance practices, the project aimed to foster greater transparency, accountability, and public participation in local government. This initiative serves as a model for future efforts aimed at enhancing governance and promoting sustainable development in the region.