Abstract
In light of the multiple challenges and weaknesses in the
policymaking practice that have resulted in policy failures,
public sector inefficiencies, and persisting ineffectiveness of
public service delivery, many countries in different regions of
the world have established what is known as 'policy innovation
labs' (PILs), which are novel structures that gather empirical
evidence to generate innovative solutions to public problems.
The utilization of PILs in policymaking architecture has
resulted in the enhancement of public policymaking practice
and improved policy performance. Notwithstanding the
increasing amount of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness
of PILs in policymaking, this paper observes a very slow
uptake of the idea in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper relies on
a qualitative desktop review to analyze the preparedness of
countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to successfully establish
functional and sustainable PILs. The results of the review
show that the current African innovation landscape is not quite
ready for the establishment of PILs. This is mostly because of
the potential complications arising from the inflexibility of the
traditional Weberian bureaucratic model in African countries,
which limits receptivity to PIL structures and their modus
operandi. In addition, there are observable capacity
challenges emanating from the limited financial resources to
undertake R&D. The paper concludes that the take-off of PILs
remains contingent upon the strength of political will in
supporting the whole idea financially, materially, and
otherwise.