Some reflections on the contextual preparedness for the policy innovation labs initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

In light of the multiple challenges and weaknesses in the policymaking practice that have resulted in policy failures, public sector inefficiencies, and persisting ineffectiveness of public service delivery, many countries in different regions of the world have established what is known as 'policy innovation labs' (PILs), which are novel structures that gather empirical evidence to generate innovative solutions to public problems. The utilization of PILs in policymaking architecture has resulted in the enhancement of public policymaking practice and improved policy performance. Notwithstanding the increasing amount of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of PILs in policymaking, this paper observes a very slow uptake of the idea in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper relies on a qualitative desktop review to analyze the preparedness of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to successfully establish functional and sustainable PILs. The results of the review show that the current African innovation landscape is not quite ready for the establishment of PILs. This is mostly because of the potential complications arising from the inflexibility of the traditional Weberian bureaucratic model in African countries, which limits receptivity to PIL structures and their modus operandi. In addition, there are observable capacity challenges emanating from the limited financial resources to undertake R&D. The paper concludes that the take-off of PILs remains contingent upon the strength of political will in supporting the whole idea financially, materially, and otherwise.