The World Bank’s 2024 Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) for Sub-Saharan Africa paints a complex picture of the region’s development trajectory. While the overall average CPIA score held steady, masking both progress and stagnation, the report underscores the pressing need for African governments to prioritize effective public service delivery as a cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable growth. The report serves as a critical roadmap for policymakers and investors, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to enhance governance, transparency, and implementation capacity to address growing public discontent and unlock the region’s vast potential.
A central theme of the report is the growing disconnect between citizen expectations and the reality of public service provision. The year 2024 witnessed a surge in public discontent, marked by youth protests and declining political support for incumbents across the continent. This reflects a deepening frustration with the quality of essential services, which continue to lag behind other regions, particularly in critical areas like infrastructure, human capital development, security, and administrative capacity. This dissatisfaction underscores the crucial link between effective governance and public trust, emphasizing the need for governments to demonstrate their ability to translate public resources into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
The report details significant shortcomings across various sectors vital for human development and economic progress. Infrastructure, particularly transport, remains underdeveloped, hindering economic activity and impacting quality of life. Limited access to basic infrastructure, especially sanitation, exacerbates poverty. Human capital development is hampered by poor educational quality and inadequate healthcare, constraining individuals’ well-being and future earning potential. Security concerns have also escalated, with conflict-related casualties rising dramatically over the past decade. Additionally, administrative services, essential for a thriving business environment, lag behind, particularly in areas such as business location and financial services. These deficiencies collectively paint a picture of systemic challenges that require concerted and targeted interventions.
However, amidst these challenges, the report also highlights pockets of progress. Many countries have demonstrated improved fiscal discipline, tackling issues like unsustainable wage bills and fuel subsidies, while also making strides in debt consolidation. Efforts are underway to implement trade facilitation agreements, harness the potential of digital technologies, and strengthen financial sector regulation. The report also acknowledges advancements in empowering adolescent girls through legal and policy reforms and strengthening social protection systems. These positive developments offer a glimmer of hope and demonstrate the potential for progress when reforms are effectively implemented.
The CPIA report emphasizes that addressing the region’s development challenges requires a multi-pronged approach. Beyond fiscal prudence and digital transformation, it underscores the critical importance of tackling fundamental governance weaknesses. Limited transparency, weak institutional capacity, and insufficient implementation capacity continue to undermine efforts to deliver essential services effectively. The report argues that addressing these core issues is not simply about achieving economic growth; it is about rebuilding trust between governments and citizens by demonstrating a genuine commitment to improving people’s lives.
Ultimately, the 2024 CPIA report serves as a call to action for African governments and their development partners. It emphasizes that sustainable development hinges on the ability of governments to effectively translate public resources into tangible improvements in the lives of their citizens. By prioritizing good governance, transparency, and effective implementation of reforms, African nations can unlock their vast potential, address growing public discontent, and pave the way for a more prosperous and equitable future. The report highlights the urgency of this task, emphasizing that building a brighter future for Africa requires not just economic growth, but also a fundamental shift in how governments operate and engage with their citizens.
