Original Research

Measuring the effect of Evaluation Capacity Building Initiatives in Africa: A review

Candice Morkel, Mokgophana Ramasobana
African Evaluation Journal | Vol 5, No 1 | a187 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/aej.v5i1.187 | © 2017 Candice Morkel, Mokgophana Ramasobana | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 16 November 2016 | Published: 26 April 2017

About the author(s)

Candice Morkel, Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results (CLEAR), Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Mokgophana Ramasobana, Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results (CLEAR), Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The growing demand for evidence to support policy decisions, guide resource allocation and demonstrate results has elevated the need for expertise in monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Despite the mushrooming of short courses in M&E, their impact on improving the capacity to meet the demand has not been adequately and comprehensively measured or evaluated. The purpose of this article was to highlight the need for improving the measurement of evaluation capacity building (ECB) to better understand what works in building M&E capacity in Africa.
Objectives: This article provides important insights into the need for empirical and rigorous measurement of ECB interventions and their role in strengthening evaluation practice.
Method: The study was primarily a desktop review of existing literature, corroborated by a survey of a few senior representatives of organisations responsible for capacity building across the African continent.
Results: The review found that there remains little empirical evidence that indicates whether ECB processes, activities and outcomes are ultimately effective. There is also very little empirical evidence that helps to interpret how change happens, and how this may shape ECB efforts. Training is acknowledged as only one element of ECB, and there is a need for a multi-pronged approach to ECB.
Conclusion: Much more empirical and rigorous research is needed to build a clear understanding of what conditions are needed in ECB in Africa to strengthen evaluation practice. This article is useful for guiding further research into measuring the effect of ECB, as well as implementing more effective models of ECB towards strengthening evaluation practice in Africa.

Keywords

Evaluation Capacity Building; Evaluation Capacity Development; Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E); M&E Training

Metrics

Total abstract views: 8701
Total article views: 11780

 

Crossref Citations

1. Assessing CREMAs’ Capacity to Govern Landscape Resources in the Western Wildlife Corridor of Northern Ghana
Eric Rega Christophe Bayala, Mathurin Zida, Kwabena Owusu Asubonteng, Mirjam A. F. Ros-Tonen, James Reed, Freddie Sayi Siangulube, Amy Ickowitz, Houria Djoudi, Terry Sunderland
Environmental Management  vol: 75  issue: 5  first page: 1055  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1007/s00267-025-02155-9

2. Navigating the politics and processes of food systems transformation: guidance from a holistic framework
Christophe Béné, Abdul-Rahim Abdulai
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems  vol: 8  year: 2024  
doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1399024

3. Building Program Evaluation Capacity of Non-Governmental Organizations Practitioners in Hong Kong
Steven Sek-yum Ngai, Chau-kiu Cheung, Yunjun Li, Lifen Zhao, Shan Jiang, Lin Wang, Hon-yin Tang
Research on Social Work Practice  vol: 32  issue: 4  first page: 434  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1177/10497315211067809

4. Development of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Four National Programs Addressing Mother and Child Health in Cote d’Ivoire: Qualitative Analysis of the Emergence and Formulation Process
Esme Marie Laure Essis, Wambi Maurice Evariste Yaméogo, Olivier Gbènamblo Sossa, Daouda Doukouré, Rachidatou Compaoré, Djoukou Olga Denise Kpebo, Marie Laurette Agbré-Yacé, Joseph Aka, Issiaka Tiembré, Blaise Sondo, Seni Kouanda
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy  vol: Volume 16  first page: 699  year: 2023  
doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S377617

5. Can massive open online courses fill African evaluation capacity gaps?
Caitlin B. Mapitsa, Linda Khumalo, Hermine Engel, Dominique Wooldridge
African Evaluation Journal  vol: 7  issue: 1  year: 2019  
doi: 10.4102/aej.v7i1.372

6. Integrating ICT in Rwandan schools to enhance access proficiency and utilization
Innocent Twagilimana, Juliet Perumal, Olivier Habimana, Reuben Dlamini, Irenee Ndayambaje, Ojo Emmanuel, Epimaque Niyibizi, Leketi Makalela, Fatima Makda, Nsabayezu Ezechiel
Discover Education  vol: 5  issue: 1  year: 2026  
doi: 10.1007/s44217-025-01091-4

7. Institutionalising the evaluation function: A South African study of impartiality, use and cost
Caitlin Blaser Mapitsa, Takunda J. Chirau
Evaluation and Program Planning  vol: 75  first page: 38  year: 2019  
doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.04.005

8. Scoping the impact evaluation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa
Yvonne Erasmus, Sunet Jordaan, Ruth Stewart
African Evaluation Journal  vol: 8  issue: 1  year: 2020  
doi: 10.4102/aej.v8i1.473

9. Thinking Outside the Self-Report: Using Evaluation Plans to Assess Evaluation Capacity Building
Lori A. Wingate, Kelly Robertson, Michael FitzGerald, Lana Rucks, Takara Tsuzaki, Carla Clasen, Jeremy Schwob
American Journal of Evaluation  vol: 43  issue: 4  first page: 515  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1177/10982140211062884

10. Enhancing the Organizational Evaluation Capacity of NGOs: Results of a Quasi-Experimental Study
Steven Sek-yum Ngai, Chau-kiu Cheung, Yuen-hang Ng, Yunjun Li, Chen Chen, Xingxing Wang, Elly Nga-hin Yu
Research on Social Work Practice  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1177/10497315251336713

11. Whither Made in Africa Evaluation: Exploring the future trajectory and implications for evaluation practice
Precious Tirivanhu
African Evaluation Journal  vol: 10  issue: 1  year: 2022  
doi: 10.4102/aej.v10i1.614

12. Validating the evaluation capacity scale among practitioners in non-governmental organizations
Steven Sek-yum Ngai, Chau-kiu Cheung, Yunjun Li, Lifen Zhao, Lin Wang, Shan Jiang, Hon-yin Tang, Elly Nga-hin Yu
Frontiers in Psychology  vol: 13  year: 2022  
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1082313

13. Developing an Evaluation Training Program for Community-Based Organizations: A Participatory Curriculum Development Approach
David Buetti, Isabelle Bourgeois
Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation  vol: 39  issue: 1  first page: 97  year: 2024  
doi: 10.3138/cjpe-2023-0020