Public sector reform in Africa: Understanding the paths and politics of change

This briefing compares the public sector reforms of Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda during the period 2000-15

Abstract

This briefing explores why some states in Africa seem to be stuck in a spiral of corruption and institutional weakness, while others build effective bureaucracies that are able and willing to tackle the challenges of development.

Drawing on research from Effective States and Inclusive Development’s Public Sector Reform project, it compares the public sector reforms of Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda during the period 2000-15.

The 3 countries exhibit different kinds of political settlement, which makes for a useful comparison of how national-level politics filters the diffusion of transnational norms. This helps to build a more nuanced understanding of the varieties of state-building in Africa, and provides some policy implications for reformers.

This output is part of the Effective States and Inclusive Development Research Centre programme

Citation

ESID (2017) Public sector reform in Africa: Understanding the paths and politics of change. ESID Briefing No. 28. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester

Public sector reform in Africa: Understanding the paths and politics of change

Updates to this page

Published 11 January 2018