Our Strategy
Our experience in implementing large scale development projects has taught us the importance of adaptive execution rather than rigid adherence to predefined plans. We advocate a learning-driven approach, allowing iterative program design and implementation, based on real-time insights.
This approach is implemented across the following six key areas:
01
Target Impact and Context
We believe that any transformative program must begin at the end of the story, by defining exactly what it is that we are trying to achieve. We prioritize defining clear goals at the outset of any transformative program, emphasizing the necessity of understanding the pathways to change and the contextual backdrop. Such transformative change hinges on systems thinking, collaboration of all key stakeholders, and crucially, constant adaptation to changing political economy dynamics.
02
National Strategies and Policies
Transformational development demands a multi-sectoral approach, relying on public sector engagement to foster an enabling environment. Central to our methodology is the alignment and acceleration of national strategies and policies that guide priorities and incentivize private sector participation, ensuring our programs are integrally linked to national frameworks.
03
Existing and Planned Investments/Initiatives
Recognizing the scale of transformational programs, we integrate and build upon existing and planned investments by different partners, including the public, development, and private sector. This approach helps overcome the common development problem of operational silos and duplication of effort, by starting with a comprehensive review and analysis of ongoing initiatives within the context of the desired transformational change.
04
Design for Impact
Our design methodology strongly leverages approaches in the private sector, focusing on rigor and applying major program design principles. These approaches are used extensively in the design and implementation of major programs in the construction, aerospace and IT sectors, among others. We draw on insights from collaborations with institutions such as Akademia2063 and the Said Business School at Oxford University, to bring this expertise to the development sector in Africa.
05
Robust Implementation Capacity
The African development landscape is littered with strategies, policies, and implementation plans, many of which sit idle or never achieve their intended results. We work with all stakeholders in partner countries to enable the capabilities needed to execute the major programs we help to design, prioritizing local African organizations. We especially target small and medium enterprises led by young people, especially young women, and public sector institutions which create the enabling environment for economic development.
06
Governance and Performance Management
The types of transformational programs we support require robust governance structures capable of coordinating diverse entities and managing multi-million-dollar components effectively. As such, we establish governance mechanisms which include the highest levels of government, with support, problem solving and accountability to ensure optimal performance.
Theory of Change
We emphasize the importance of harmonizing African sovereignty within all of the programs we support. This requires the active involvement of diverse societal sectors including local entrepreneurs and small / medium enterprises, which are the heartbeat of African economies. It also requires the engagement of civil society organizations representing women, youth, and marginalized groups. Finally, we believe that the public sector has a crucial role to play in any large-scale development program, facilitating an enabling policy and institutional environment to attract international partnerships and investments which can bring
new ideas, resources, and mutually beneficial solutions.
6 Tenets of Our Theory of Change
Local Ownership and Sovereignty
Development programs must originate from local stakeholders and communities. Sustainable development requires a bottom-up approach where local communities and organization lead while external experts facilitate and support.
Technology and Innovation
Africa's indigenous knowledge, cultural diversity, and resources can drive development; however, its critical to continually look outward at progress internationally to bring ideas that can accelerate progress. Leveraging global innovations while adapting them to the local context is key to drive development.
Systems Thinking and Integration
All of our solutions take a systems thinking approach, considering key components and implications of transformational change. This requires an integration of different stakeholders and sectors across the economy, collaboratively engaging, problem solving and ensuring mutual accountability.
Public-Private-Civil Society Collaboration
Effective development leverages the public sector, private sector, and civil society, with each set of actors bringing their unique capabilities. The voices and perspectives of often marginalized groups marginalized groups, especially women and youth must also be actively sought to ensure inclusive development.
Climate Change Adaptation
Despite contributing least to climate change, Africa faces its severe impacts. Sustainable development must deeply integrate climate adaptation strategies from the outset to transform challenges into opportunities and safeguard critical assets for future generations protecting the continent’s rich biodiversity.
Institutional Capacity and Sustainability Development
We invest in building the institutional capacity and ecosystem capabilities around key public, private, and civil society organizations. We focus on supporting the design and operationalization of "fit-for-purpose" Nodal Entities that serve as engines of the national transformation process.