By Uche Usim
The World Bank has harped on the urgent need for African governments to build trust by transforming how essential services are delivered, if frustrated citizens are to regain their trust in the system.
In its newly released Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) 2024 report released yesterday, the institution warns that while Sub-Saharan Africa maintained a stable average score of 3.1 out of 6, the region is struggling to turn policy reforms into tangible benefits for its citizens.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
Although a few countries made notable strides in fiscal discipline, digitalisation, and social protections, these advances were overshadowed by systemic governance issues and widespread dissatisfaction over failing service delivery. The CPIA, which evaluates the quality of policy and institutional frameworks in IDA-eligible countries, serves as both a diagnostic and a roadmap for policymakers navigating complex development challenges.
“Confidence in a government’s ability to efficiently transform public resources into essential services is fundamental to fostering a shared purpose with citizens and improving trust,” said Andrew Dabalen, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa.
“Populations across Africa are clearly asking for more from their leaders to enable them to realize their aspirations. Our CPIA Africa report underscores the urgent need for transparent management of public resources and effective delivery of quality services to address growing dissatisfaction and enable citizens to reach their full potential.”
The year 2024 saw a wave of youth-led protests and eroding political support for many African incumbents — a clear indication that citizens are no longer willing to accept governance that fails to deliver. Surveys cited in the CPIA show rising frustration with the quality of public services, especially when compared to other regions.
From infrastructure to health and education, African nations are falling behind. Inadequate transport systems and poor sanitation continue to impede economic activity and degrade living conditions. Meanwhile, the human capital base — vital for long-term growth — remains stunted due to substandard schools and healthcare.
The report also points to soaring insecurity, noting a near tripling of conflict-related casualties between 2014 and 2024. Administrative inefficiencies further erode confidence, particularly in areas like business registration and access to finance, critical for job creation and private sector growth.
Despite these challenges, the CPIA highlights areas of resilience and progress. Some governments have begun tackling high wage bills and fuel subsidies, while others are working to implement trade facilitation agreements and expand digital public services.
Reforms are also underway to strengthen financial sector oversight, social protection systems, and the legal rights of adolescent girls — all steps in the right direction.
“While some countries have made commendable strides in fiscal prudence and digital transformation, issues of weak governance, limited transparency, and insufficient implementation capacity continue to undermine efforts to deliver essential services,” said Nicholas Woolley, lead author of the CPIA report.
“Addressing these fundamental challenges is not just about economic growth; it’s about showing people that governments can work for them to help create a better path for the future.”
As external financing becomes increasingly limited, the CPIA urges African governments to reorient their priorities and mobilize domestic capabilities for inclusive and sustainable service delivery. The report emphasizes that lasting development must go beyond economic statistics — it must restore trust in government by ensuring that citizens can see and feel the impact of policy decisions in their daily lives.
In a nutshell, the report noted that if African leaders are to build lasting legitimacy, they must urgently deliver on the promise of governance that works for the people.
The post World Bank to Africa: Fix public service failures to win back citizens appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
