African decentralisation policies and practices from 1980s and beyond

Globally, African countries are the most centralised in terms of formal governance
structures. Approaching decentralisation as a complex, relative, instrumental and multidimensional process, this paper highlights the motivations and dilemmas of recent decentralisation policies and programmes in Africa. It discusses the main features of African decentralisation policies and practices in colonial and post-colonial times with special focus
on the 1980s and beyond. This period is associated with structural adjustment and democratisation. A framework for analysing decentralisation policies and programmes is proposed. This is the basis for suggested improvements in the design and implementation of
decentralisation policies in African and possibly, other developing states.