In sub-Saharan Africa, evidence-informed decision-making is constrained by many factors related in one way to the quality of available evidence, which may be fragmented, outdated, and inappropriate, and in another way to the lack of capacities of potential evidence users to source, extract, understand and mainstream evidence into concrete decisions. Yet, evidence is essential to help policymakers and practitioners (non-governmental…
A large amount of evidence has been generated and available during these last decades. However, This does not promote informed decision-making for the implementation of adequate actions and relevant interventions with more lasting positive impacts within communities. These steps include: Ask yourself the right questions. The first step is the definition of objectives and learning questions to guide the evidence…
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in the economic growth, poverty reduction, and job creation in developing countries. To ensure a greater contribution of SMEs to national economies, African governments and development partners provide support for SME growth and expansion, often through Innovation support Programs (ISPs). However, the actual impact of ISPs on SME development and performance,…