Beyond Perception: Politics of Monitoring and Evaluation in African Anti-Corruption Programmes
Abstract
Background: Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of anti-corruption programmes across Africa faces persistent challenges related to perception-driven assessments, weak multi-stakeholder engagement, and inadequate inter-agency collaboration. Despite significant investments in anti-corruption architecture, measuring actual programme effectiveness remains problematic, with evaluation integrity compromised by political economy dynamics. Objectives: This study critically examined the perceived political and institutional factors that undermined M&E integrity in anti-corruption programmes across five African countries – Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, and Liberia – and proposed a framework for strengthening Afrocentric, participatory M&E systems. Method: The study employed a qualitative documentary analysis and literature review, synthesising evidence from peer-reviewed journals, institutional reports, and policy documents. Key informant perspectives (n = 20) were drawn from existing qualitative studies. Thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's [5] framework guided data interpretation. Results: Findings revealed that M&E systems were deeply entangled with political structures, where data manipulation, strategic underfunding, and weak stakeholder engagement systematically undermined evaluation integrity. Perceived political interference manifested through procedural obstruction, executive influence on case selection, and fragmented institutional mandates. Civil society participation remained nominal across all five countries, constrained by financial limitations and inadequate awareness of M&E roles. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that technical M&E reforms alone were insufficient without addressing underlying political economy dynamics. It proposed the Participatory Afrocentric M&E Framework as a pathway for strengthening anti-corruption programme evaluation. Contribution: This research advanced understanding of how perceived political interference systematically distorted M&E in anti-corruption contexts and provided actionable recommendations for enhancing evaluation independence, stakeholder engagement, and contextual relevance in African settings.