The evidence ecosystem in South Africa: growing resilience and institutionalisation of evidence use

Abstract

The evidence-informed approach to policy-making and implementation is, at its core, about better decisions for a better future. It is focused on the effective use of scarce resources, on avoiding harm and maximising good. It is grounded in principles of equity and equality, of accountability and transparency. Given these characteristics, for those of us who work in this field, there is arguably a moral, economic, social and political case for paying closer attention to evidence-informed decision-making ecosystems in the South. Evidence-based policy and implementation, or evidence-informed decision-making in line with the most recent thinking, is often framed from two inter-related but limited perspectives: first, it is viewed as an approach that has originated from ‘developed’ Northern countries, and second, it is conceptualised as a technical intervention. However, there has been a shift in how the approach is conceived, moving away from assumptions that it is an intervention implemented from outside, from the North, for the benefit of the South. As part of this shift, certain initiatives in Africa have gained greater momentum. It is in acknowledging that there are different ways to think (epistemic diversity) about Southern evidence-informed decision-making, that this work has arisen. It seizes on the opportunity to view evidence-informed decision-making in a new light, exploring the evidence ecosystems in the South as systems strongly influenced by, but not defined by, Northern stimuli, including, but not limited to, technical interventions. This work set out to describe the evidence ecosystem in South Africa. In doing so, it finds that the ecosystem is increasingly resilient despite some limitations. It has strong structural foundations, includes many diverse organisations, is supported by not inconsiderable investment, is enabled by growing and significant capacity, contains iterations and innovations, and last but not least, incorporates complexity that gives the ecosystem resilience. The work demonstrates, through its focus on South Africa’s evidence ecosystem, that the global movement has much to learn from the South.

Turning ‘evidence for development’ on its head: A view from Africa

“…Reflected in the recent emergence of the language of an evidence ecosystem, there are attempts to start to consider all the actors involved in the generation and use of evidence as an interactive interrelated system -my colleagues and I have written about the South African evidence ecosystem already (Stewart et al, 2019). However, if you apply this concept of complexity, interaction and interrelationships to the evidence for development arena, a number of potential contradictions arise due to the outdated values on which the field is built: those of patriarchy, development and colonialism.…”

Averting hunger in sub-Saharan Africa requires data and synthesis

“…Many of the building blocks required for an evidence clearing house for agriculture are already in place in sub-Saharan Africa. The Africa Evidence Network and African Evaluation Association connect policymakers with organizations that are dedicated to supporting evidence-based decision-making 12 Although such weapons have not been used in wars since, they define the international registering interdisciplinary evidence reviews for agriculture. This information is freely available.…”

Institutionalizing an Evidence-Based Practice in a Selected Government Agency in Nigeria

“…Advocacy and legal framework have been reported to be the most effective means of institutionalization of policies especially in the health sector, because it created a public awareness that was included in the decision-making body (Banken, 2001). Also, in an evidence-informed approach to policy-making, implementation, which refers to the systematic efforts used to encourage adoption of evidence and knowledge by overcoming barriers, is at the core of better decisions for a better future (Stewart, et al, 2019). In Nigeria, there are inconsistencies in the implementation of policies amongst the different organs and levels of government in Nigeria, because the implementing agencies in most cases lack appropriate modern technology, managerial skills and administrative capacity that are essential for effective policy implementation, and the procedures adopted in policy implementation are not consistent with policy goals.…”