Client: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Duration: 2008-2016
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Country: Nigeria
Solutions: Governance Fragile States
Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy. However, despite its economic dynamism, Nigeria’s inefficient resource management, widespread corruption, and a lack of accountability have undermined the government’s ability to translate this economic progress into inclusive growth and improved public services. Advancements in public administration, public financial management, and enhanced policy are crucial in helping government provide better services and reduce poverty.
The former U.K. Department for International Development (now called Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) launched the State Partnership for Accountability, Responsiveness, and Capability (SPARC) to support the Nigerian government in better managing resources and providing more responsive and accountable services. SPARC worked in a partnership of FCDO programmes that included demand-side accountability and direct service delivery in health, education, and economic growth. The programme built on the success of its predecessor program, the State and Local Government Programme.
Over eight years, SPARC enabled responsive policy formulation and performance-focused public service by helping state governments improve revenue collection, reduce budgetary waste, and implement strategies for locally led planning that improved health, education, and economic growth. The programme worked in several fragile environments in Nigeria and achieved an A+ score from the client at every annual review and at the Project Completion Review.
Governance:
Fragile States:
Worked in Zamfara and Yobe States, which suffer from varying forms of fragility connected to weak economic growth, unregulated mining, and insurgency.
Economic Growth:
SPARC’s Resource Centre and interactive Help Desk features more than 600 documents, resources, and tools categorised by governance reform themes, best practices, and lessons learned with national and global partners.
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