Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Evaluation has often been associated with Northern paradigms in its formulation
and practice. It is extractive in nature and often a top-down approach that implies that those
who receive aid or interventions have no voice and no rights. The African Evaluation Principles
(AEPs) are aimed at addressing power asymmetries that exist within the evaluation ecosystem
in Africa while giving agency, voice and power to Africans.
OBJECTIVES : The article explores the role that colonisation has played and continues to influence
how development is carried out and therefore, how and when evaluations are carried out and
who performs the evaluation. Specifically, it explores the AEPs and how they could be used to
contribute to addressing inequalities and power asymmetries.
METHODS : The article reviews secondary data and uses one’s own experiences on the continent
and observation.
RESULTS : The article discusses how the AEPs could contribute to making the concept of
equitable evaluation more relevant and applicable in the practice of evaluations in Africa. The
article highlights the role of African indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, values and
traditions to inform what equitable evaluation could look like from an African perspective.
CONCLUSION : The article concludes that there is much work and commitment needed to ensure
the use of the AEPs to contribute towards the practice of true equitable evaluation where this
is genuinely practiced with the aim of addressing power asymmetries and inequalities. This
requires a change of mindsets, challenging one’s own biases as well as the power imbalances.
CONTRIBUTION : This article contributes to better understanding of AEPs and how they could be
used to achieve equitable evaluation.
