A framework for Made in Africa Evaluation and influence of the African Peer Review Mechanism on policy outcomes

PurposeThis paper proposes a framework for operationalising the implementation of the Made in Africa Evaluation (MAE) Peer Review Mechanism through the lens of the Ugandan evaluation processes (inputs, activities, and outputs) and the impacts of African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on policy outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA case study design was adopted, utilising qualitative data collected from 35 participants through interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) in Uganda. This approach aims to understand the perceptions of APRM stakeholders, who were purposively selected based on their roles in the first and second-generation peer reviews conducted between 2005 and 2021.FindingsThe empirical data revealed that APRM’s influence on public policy varies depending on the nature of the process elements, providing guidance to stakeholders and researchers regarding the relevant inputs, activities, and outputs. Lessons from this study emphasise the importance of inclusive planning, adequate resource capacity, timely reporting, a well-domesticated legal framework, and a culture of using findings from evaluations in national plans and budgets.Originality/valueEvidence drawn from stakeholders’ experiences informs a context-based operational framework for enhancing the evaluation influence of APRM implementation, thereby addressing the gap in the application of MAE.