Donors Commission Three-Quarters Of African Evaluations: AfrEA

As the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) prepares to commemorate its 25^th anniversary, a troubling reality is brought to light: 75 percent of evaluations in Africa are commissioned by donors, triggering critics to doubt the integrity of results and outcomes.

The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA), which counts 2,000 individuals and several institutions among its members, is celebrating its silver in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from June 16–18, 2025.

“In the beginning, evaluation was just a concept on the African continent—we heard about it, but there was no leading organization at the continental level to promote it,” said AfrEA President Miche Ouedraogo during a joint press conference with the  Ethiopian Ministry of Planning and Development.

He pointed out that AfrEA is the leading voice advocating for ‘Made in Africa’ evaluation.

“There are many approaches and methods for conducting evaluations, but most evaluations carried out in Africa are commissioned by donors,” said the President. “AfrEA became the first and most important organization in Africa dedicated to advancing evaluation. Studies show that 75 percent of evaluations conducted in Africa are commissioned by donors and carried out by foreign companies. As a result, evaluations often follow Western approaches. However, we believe Africa has its own knowledge systems that must be recognized and included when evaluations are conducted on the ground.”

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The organization emphasized that its 25-year journey has been marked by significant milestones in capacity building, knowledge exchange, and evidence-based policymaking. The upcoming celebration is being organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Evaluation Association (EEvA), the Ministry of Planning, and other key stakeholders.

The event is expected to attract more than 300 participants, including government leaders, evaluators, policymakers, and development professionals. It will focus on the transformation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) across the continent. The anniversary will be held under the theme: ‘25 Years of Excellence in Africa – Performance-Based Evaluation: Building a Stronger Future Together.’

Founded in 1999, AfrEA has grown into a leading evaluation network, supporting 40 African countries and representing over 3,000 members. The Association is committed to ensuring that evaluation practices are contextualized and tailored to Africa’s unique realities.

Over the years, AfrEA has fostered collaboration among evaluators, policymakers, and development practitioners, becoming a central figure in Africa’s evaluation movement. Its biennial conferences promote African-based methodologies and amplify African voices in shaping global evaluation standards.

In a recent announcement published in the African Evaluation Journal, AfrEA highlighted that its initiatives, training programs, and advocacy efforts have empowered evaluators to make meaningful impacts in their countries. The association has played a pivotal role in training young evaluators to conduct high-quality, effective evaluations that address the continent’s needs.

AfrEA’s influence also extends beyond Africa. Through partnerships with international organizations, it has contributed significantly to strengthening global evaluation practices while reinforcing Africa’s role as a hub for evidence-based policymaking.

The 25th anniversary celebration in Addis Ababa is set to be a milestone event, bringing together evaluation professionals, development experts, policymakers, and government officials to reflect on AfrEA’s achievements and chart a forward-looking path for the future of evaluation in Africa.