The Policy Practice was commissioned by the World Bank to support the preparation of a Program for Results (P4R) operation in Nigeria promoting state fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability.  The Policy Practice analysed how the political economy of Nigerian states affected the prospects for financial management reforms targeted by the proposed operation. The analysis informed the design of the P4R operation, in particular the selection of the Disbursement Linked Indicators that determined financial allocations to states.  

The team, led by Gareth Williams and Olly Owen, completed a political economy analysis on the demographic transition in Nigeria. Based on detailed fieldwork in 11 locations, the study addresses the question of what are the political, economic and socio-cultural factors influencing population policy and outcomes. It identified six potential pathways of change towards a more rapid demographic transition and makes recommendations on how development partners can support these pathways. 

This political economy analysis looked at the drivers of policy and factors affecting implementation around climate and environment issues in Nigeria. It focused on forest management, afforestation and deforestation. It looked at the institutional dynamics of policy formulation and performance in the Federal Ministry of Environment and its agencies, as well as at the relations with international donors and with the sub-national level.

The Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) is a five-year governance programme, funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). The programme supports governments, citizens, and evidence-based advocacy to promote more accountable and capable government. Gareth Williams was contracted for the first half of 2019 to support the programme in preparing for its Mid Term Review in July 2019.

The Policy Development Facility Phase II is a flexible, rapid-response facility set up to support ‘champions of change’, to implement economic and social policies that lead to poverty reduction in Nigeria. This Political Economy Analysis explored the likelihood of progress during the 9 months prior to the General Election in a variety of reform areas including: power sector; trade; and road and rail.

The Policy Development Facility Phase II is a flexible, rapid-response facility set up to support ‘champions of change’, to implement economic and social policies that lead to poverty reduction in Nigeria. This mid-term review provided qualitative ratings of government policies in priority areas. A political economy analysis examined the factors likely to affect the future success or otherwise of technical assistance embedded within Nigeria’s cabinet and National Assembly.