Context:
Since 2024, South Africa has been governed by a ten-party coalition, which has led to a fundamental change in policy-making. Coordination and consensus-building remain challenging. Inclusive growth, poverty reduction and a capable, ethical state are government priorities. However, there is a lack of consistent, systematic and evidence-based policy-making to achieve these goals. Since 2019, the Policy and Research Services (PRS) unit within South Africa’s Presidency has been responsible for coordinating policy initiatives and aligning them strategically with national priorities. Due to institutional weaknesses, however, such as a lack of methodological expertise, the unit is limited in its ability to fulfil this role.
Objective:
The institutional conditions for evidence-based policy-making in South Africa have improved.
Approach:
The project advises South Africa’s Presidency and government ministries on evidence-based policy-making. It thus helps to ensure that policy measures are more effective, coherent and efficient. The project brings the state, the scientific community and civil society together in three areas:
- It develops methodological expertise to allow the social and economic impacts of policies to be assessed (Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System, SEIAS). In addition, it supports PRS in refining methods that have been tried and tested internationally, such as cost-benefit analyses and environmental and social impact assessments, and in improving the SEIAS process.
- It promotes gender-responsive approaches to policy-making that include the population. In this context, Stellenbosch University and the University of Pretoria provide reliable information and act as intermediaries between the Presidency and non-governmental scientific stakeholders.
- It also trains PRS staff and policy advisors in government ministries by integrating evidence-based policy-making methods into the established training that it offers.