Unpacking policy gridlocks in Africa’s development: An evolving agenda

Abstract

Policies are not an end in themselves, but deliberate systems of principles to guide decisions and achievement of rational outcomes. Many factors inherent in or transcending policy processes have dramatic consequences for how policies are interpreted and applied. In this article, we deploy the concept of 'policy gridlocks' to better understand factors that facilitate or hinder implementation of single or multiple policies in different African policy arenas. We argue that minimizing or ameliorating 'policy gridlocks' requires stakeholders to quantify and more directly feel the cost of their decisions and actions, while scholars must continue to search for institutional means to prevent gridlocks, including broadening the array of conceptual and analytical tools for understanding policy processes. We conclude that limits in financial resources, technical expertise and legislative capacity are the more powerful drivers of policy formulation, implementation and revision gridlocks that need to be addressed, than fragmentation of stakeholder interests.

Innovative governance for transformative energy policy in sub-Saharan Africa after COVID-19: Green pathways in Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa

“…In Brazil and Germany, decision-makers’ problems and solutions in transboundary policy-making differ widely due to the manifestation of policy contexts and self-interests. In such a scenario, research suggests that rather than focusing on the fragmentation of stakeholder interests, the focus should be on boosting financial resources, technical expertise, and legislative capacity, which are the more powerful drivers of policy formulation, policy implementation, and the revision of policy gridlocks [ 154 ]. The tenth pillar's function is improved coordination and overall transition management.…”