Decentralisation in Africa. A Path Out of Poverty and Conflict

In Africa, particularly in the sub-Saharan region-which is also the focus of this book-there are few countries that have not implemented decentralisation reforms.
This is especially noteworthy given Africa’s long history of formally centralised governance, which dates back to the colonial era and, in some cases, even earlier. After gaining independence, the constitutions adopted in many countries—particularly in former British colonies—provided for a comprehensive system of local governance with elected councils. These councils were responsible for delivering services such as education, healthcare, roads, water supply, and agricultural extension, and they were allocated certain financial resources.
Although post-independence attempts to centralise state power in Africa may not have been as successful as intended, the drive for nation-building, the reality of one-party or military regimes, and the need for centralised planning led to the marginalisation or even complete abolition of these elected local and district councils and their functions, particularly from the late 1960s through the 1970s. During this period, international donor organisations also focused their support on strengthening central state institutions, driven by their preference for modernisation and Keynesian economic approaches.

The study is available in English at this link: https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/35283/340046.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y