Research Theme 2
🏗 Governance & Political Economy
Analysing the structures of power, policy and institutions that shape development outcomes in Africa
About This Research Theme
Development outcomes in Africa are shaped not only by resources and services, but by the political and institutional environments in which people live. This research theme examines how governance structures, economic policies, legal frameworks and international aid flows affect human development — and where reform is most urgently needed.
We ask: how do political economies determine who benefits from development? How can social policy be designed to protect the most vulnerable? And how can human rights frameworks and foreign aid be made more effective instruments for lasting change?
Topics Covered
- 🏗 Political Economy
- ⚖️ Human Rights
- 📜 Social Policy
- 💰 Foreign Aid
- 🛡 Human Security
Latest Research: Governance & Political Economy
Our most recent work on governance, rights, policy and political economy across Africa.
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Between elite power and social mobilisation in Nigeria
‘Leave no one behind’ is the catchphrase of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As development challenges become multifaceted and…
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New directions in social policy: lessons from and for Nigeria
Social policy is a package of public interventions that aim to guarantee adequate and secure livelihoods, income and well-being, and…
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Sub-Saharan Africa and achieving the SDG target for drinking water
Achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 is a target of the…
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Sanitation security model: importance, explanation and uses
Bolaji Ogunfemi Sanitation is one of the most intractable development challenges of the twenty-first century. It has garnered greater attention…
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Experience and reflection on sanitation and human security in South Sudan
Bolaji Ogunfemi It was the afternoon of Tuesday 4th of July, 2017, different thoughts ran through my head as I…
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Biomedical engineers from across Africa are collaborating to build medical devices
Biomedical engineering can save lives. It draws on and integrates knowledge from disciplines like engineering, computer science, biomedical sciences, and…
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Why Africa’s Biggest Economy is Falling Behind on Sanitation and 7 Ways Donors Can Make a Difference
Bolaji Ogunfemi Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, has a staggering 130 million people without access to adequate sanitation according to WaterAid…
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Africa’s opportunity and reasons for a reset
At a time of great uncertainty in world affairs, Africa serves its interests best by putting its house in order.…
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Nigeria ranked 152 in global human development index – UNDP report
Nigeria has been ranked 152 amongst the 193 United Nations (UN) member states in the latest Human Development Index (HDI)…
Explore Other Research Themes
Our research spans people and services, sustainability and human development across Africa.
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