Public sector reforms in Africa: Focus, challenges and lessons learnt

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. In the light of the challenges facing public sector reform in Africa, this paper argues that ownership of reform programmes by African governments and other stakeholders is necessary.