Public Sector Reforms in Africa : Why Execution Remains the main challenge
Introduction
African governments have never produced so many strategic visions, sectoral plans or national transformation programmes. Yet despite legitimate ambitions, the results achieved often remain partial or disappointing. The real Achilles heel is neither vision nor strategy: it is execution.
According to Forbes and the work of Robert Kaplan and David Norton, nearly 90% of strategies fail not because they are bad, but because they are not executed properly.
The African paradox: strong visions, interrupted reforms
Africa does not have a problem with ideas. Africa has a problem with implementation.
Reforms are interrupted, priorities change with teams, projects lose their coherence, budgets do not follow priorities, teams work in silos.
The result :
- Intentions are diluted
- Impacts are delayed,
- Confidence weakens.
Adopt a proven strategic execution system
In more than 70 countries, governments and large companies have adopted the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and the Strategy Execution Premium Process (XPP) to finally move from strategy to results.
This method makes it possible to:
- Translate vision into concrete actions,
- Align teams,
- Measure performance,
- Coordinate stakeholders,
- Strengthen accountability,
- Ritualise execution (monthly or quarterly reviews).
Why the method is perfectly suited to the African context
Contrary to what one might think, deploying the BSC does not require:
On the contrary, one of its main advantages is its scalability. You can start small (a pilot department or ministry) and then gradually expand.
The three psychological barriers preventing leaders from adopting the method
Concrete benefits for African governments
Technology: the real psychological trigger
Hesitant leaders usually change their minds after seeing a demonstration of BSC/XPP applications. Visualisation of strategy maps, automatic KPI tracking and performance alerts show them that:
“It’s doable. It’s concrete. And it’s doable NOW.”
Conclusion
Africa does not need new strategies; it needs systems to execute them.
The Balanced Scorecard and XPP offer:
- Rigour,
- Transparency,
- Coordination,
- Measurable impacts.
Institutionalising this method in African administrations would be a major step forward in strengthening citizen confidence, optimising resources and ensuring the success of public reforms.
The future of African public policy depends less on the quality of ideas and concepts than on the ability to execute them.
If this topic resonates with you, explore our seminar Mastering Strategic Initiatives and Organisational Change below.
An article by Salahdine Ourzik, MBA, PMP, BSC/XPP, LMI
Strategic planning
Organisational Change Management
Leadership Development
Corporate Performance System
More reading
Implementing reforms, not just formulating them – The contribution of the Balanced Scorecard and the XPP process
Mastering Strategic Planning and Execution through the Balanced Scorecard Method
Implementing Public Policy in Africa: Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Results
