Senegal’s Public Policy Evaluation Day Calls for Stronger National Evaluation Framework

On November 28, 2024, experts and institutional leaders gathered in Dakar for Public Policy Evaluation Day to discuss the crucial role of evaluation in public governance and policy effectiveness in Senegal.

Under the auspices of the Bureau of Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Policies and Programmes (BSEPPP) of Senegal, with the initiative of the Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results for Francophone Africa (CLEAR-FA) and in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Senegalese Evaluation Association (SenEval), the event aimed to improve the use of evaluation in public decision-making by bringing together key stakeholders.

Despite the growing recognition of evaluation as a key tool for improving public policies, participants highlighted a persistent challenge: its underutilization in decision-making. Malamine Savané, President of SenEval, stressed the need to further and better integrate evaluation into governance structures. "Evaluation must be a fundamental tool for effectively guiding public policies," he said. However, he noted that the absence of a harmonized national evaluation policy prevents the optimal use of evaluation results, limiting their impact on policy effectiveness.

Abdoulaye Gounou, Director-General of Public Policy Evaluation in Benin, also emphasized the lack of a structured national approach to evaluation. "Without a clear policy and close collaboration, evaluation cannot play its role as a lever for development," he said. Youssouf N'Dia, Director of Control and Monitoring and Evaluation at Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Planning and Development, highlighted the need for regional coordination. "The experiences of each country can and should intersect, allowing for the development of a common approach to better governance," he said.

To address these challenges, experts proposed establishing a national evaluation policy aligned with Senegal’s development priorities. Rosaline Dado Worou Houndekon, Director-General of the African Center for Advanced Studies in Management (Centre Africain d’Études Supérieures en Gestion - CESAG), highlighted the importance of this approach. "Evaluation is not an end in itself but a key lever to improve public policies and their impact on socio-economic development," she said. Discussions also emphasized the need to strengthen evaluator training and ensure better utilization of evaluation results to create a tangible impact on policy implementation.

The proposed measures aim to provide policy makers with stronger tools to make informed decisions while improving transparency and the overall effectiveness of public policies. As Ibrahima Ndiaye, Director-General of the Bureau of Organisation and Methods (BOM), stated, "Evaluation is an essential lever to ensure that public policies are effective and meet the set objectives."

Closing the event, Elhadji Mounirou Ndiaye, Minister Counsellor to the President of Senegal and Head of BSEPPP, stressed the importance of strengthening these evaluation processes. "We wanted to be here because a new momentum is being given to governance in Senegal,” he said. “As you must have noticed, in the framework of the new regime, there is a fundamental pillar entitled Good Governance and African Engagement. And when we say African engagement, it’s because there is a dimension and a willingness to open up, which has already been set in motion at the state level. My conviction is that nothing can succeed without these frameworks for exchange, sharing experiences, and collaboration. That is why I want to congratulate CESAG, CLEAR-FA, SenEval, AFD, and all the other partners for organizing this important day, which we place great importance on."

Public Policy Evaluation Day laid the groundwork for a more structured and collaborative approach to strengthening governance in Senegal. The discussions and recommendations made during the event are expected to elevate evaluation as a key instrument for sustainable development and the prosperity of the country.