Prépublications

Strengthening the relationship between public administration and citizens is a key challenge for public sector modernization. This study examines the practices implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) of Burkina Faso through a qualitative documentary analysis covering the period 2022–2026. The findings show that service digitalization, institutional communication, citizen participation, and service quality strengthen interactions between the MEF and citizens. However, governance constraints, limited institutional capacities, and change management remain significant challenges. The study highlights the strategic role of public marketing in fostering sustainable administration–citizen relationships and improving public sector performance.

All development actions of the States are generally carried out through public procurement, including public contracts, public service delegations, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). While for the first two the funding is directly and almost entirely provided by the State budget, PPPs are partially or fully pre-financed by the private sector. Similarly, PPPs do not involve immediate payment upon the completion of the project that is the subject of the partnership. The observation today is that Public-Private Partnerships are particularly popular in countries, including those in development. This new form of public procurement consists of a partnership collaboration that increasingly solicits the contributions of the private sector by entrusting it with the (co)financing of a project, its design, implementation, and even its operation. Over the past decade, Burkina Faso has faced security challenges with psycho-economic-social and developmental consequences. Moreover, populations are becoming increasingly demanding regarding the satisfaction of their claims. "The State being a continuity," it is said, no government can therefore claim its technical and especially financial incompetence to evade its royal obligation to meet the vital needs of its citizens. It is in this perspective that PPP (Public-Private Partnership) intervenes as an alternative source of funding and optimal mobilization of the necessary international and national private expertise for development. For Burkina Faso, the government has been experimenting with public-private partnerships since 2013, building on a PPP development strategy from 2011 and a related legal and institutional framework (Law No. 020-2013). Thus, to promote the diversification of funding methods for…

This study falls within SDG Focus Goal 1: No Poverty — Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions; Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable; Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance. This study examines cash transfer programs and community reciprocity norms in Brazil and Kenya, two countries with different social protection histories, program designs, and cultural contexts of reciprocity. Brazil's Bolsa Família (2003-2021, replaced by Auxílio Brasil in 2021, now Bolsa Família reinstated 2023) is one of the largest conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs globally, reaching approximately 14 million families. The program conditions transfers on school attendance and health check-ups, and has been credited with significant poverty reduction, but also criticized for not addressing structural poverty and for potential erosion of community reciprocity (crowding out informal support networks). Kenya has implemented cash transfer programs including the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) for drought-prone areas, the Inua Jamii (Older Persons Cash Transfer), and the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Cash Transfer (CT-OVC), as well as…

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on health systems worldwide, disrupting essential health services and altering healthcare-seeking behaviors. For patients with HIV-TB co-infection, who require sustained, integrated care, the pandemic has introduced new challenges to treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. This article examines the impact of COVID-19 on treatment adherence and clinical outcomes among HIV-TB co-infected patients in the East Region of Cameroon through a comparative retrospective cohort analysis. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 11 health facilities across the East Region, comparing a pre-COVID cohort (April-September 2019; n=109) with a COVID cohort (May-October 2020; n=105). Data were collected through documentary analysis and structured questionnaires. Adherence was assessed using self-report measures. Clinical outcomes were assessed based on treatment status. Results revealed significant differences between cohorts. The COVID cohort had higher adherence (74.3%) compared to the pre-COVID cohort (56.9%) (p=0.007). However, the COVID cohort had more relapses (6.7% vs. 0.9%, p=0.033) and lower respect of COVID-19 barrier measures (11.9% vs. 27.4%, p=0.006). The sex distribution differed significantly between cohorts (female predominance before COVID vs. male predominance during COVID, p=0.010). Department of residence also differed (p=0.021). Other socio-demographic and clinical characteristics remained comparable between cohorts. Multivariate analysis identified cohort period as an independent determinant of adherence (OR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.36-6.03). The study found that while adherence was higher during COVID-19, this was accompanied by higher relapse rates and lower respect of preventive measures. The findings highlight the complex impact of the pandemic on HIV-TB co-infection management, with both positive and…

Douala General Hospital (DGH), one of Cameroon's leading referral institutions, continues to rely heavily on paper-based systems for recording and managing patient information, despite its pivotal role in providing specialized healthcare services. This article presents a comprehensive project proposal for strengthening data management systems at DGH to support evidence-based decision-making and prepare the institution for the integration of digital health solutions, including data science and artificial intelligence. The project is justified by the urgent need to address fragmented data management, inadequate staff training, and limited digital infrastructure that currently hinder the hospital's capacity to deliver high-quality, data-driven healthcare. The project objectives include establishing a centralized and interoperable hospital data management system within 24 months, training at least 200 hospital staff in digital literacy and data analytics within 18 months, upgrading digital infrastructure within 12 months, developing institutional policies and governance frameworks within 12 months, and promoting the routine use of hospital data for decision-making and research. The project is situated within the tertiary sector, with elements of the quaternary sector given its emphasis on knowledge generation and innovation. Potential project partners include the Ministry of Public Health, local universities, the World Health Organization, the African Population and Health Research Center, Data Science Without Borders partners, the Wellcome Trust, the World Bank, and private sector actors. Primary beneficiaries include patients receiving care at DGH, while secondary beneficiaries include hospital staff, the institution itself, the Ministry of Public Health, academic institutions, researchers, and wider society. The estimated project budget is $500,000, covering…

The Democratic Republic of Congo has embarked on a comprehensive reform of its civil service to address the challenges and dysfunctions that have characterized public administration for decades. This article examines the innovations and reform initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Public Service to modernize civil service career management and improve performance. The study employed a mixed-methods approach combining documentary analysis of reform frameworks, policy documents, and strategic plans, with qualitative interviews of key officials at the Ministry of Public Service and the Provincial Division of Public Service in Mongala Province. Results revealed a range of innovations and reform initiatives, including: the creation of the One-Stop Shop to centralize central and provincial services; the introduction of Bankarization for salary payments; the Young Professionals Movement to recruit and train young graduates; the National Commission for the Rejuvenation of the Public Administration to manage career files and ensure renewal; the National Social Security Fund for State Public Agents to provide social protection; and the Reference File of the Public Administration to maintain accurate personnel records. The study also examined the strategic framework for reform, which aims to transform the public administration from an inefficient and dysfunctional system to one that is effective, efficient, and development-oriented. The strategic framework includes three phases: normalization of the current mode of organization, functioning, and management; modernization through the progressive introduction of innovations and best practices; and extension of reform actions to other ministries based on results. However, the implementation of these innovations faces challenges, including resistance…

Peatland ecosystems are highly sensitive to hydro-climatic fluctuations, with changes in temperature, precipitation, and water availability significantly affecting their structure, function, and carbon storage capacity. This article examines the hydro-climatic fluctuations and their impact on peatland ecosystems in the Itimbiri River Basin, Mongala Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, over a forty-year period from 1983 to 2023. The study employed a mixed-methods approach combining analysis of climate data (temperature, precipitation, humidity), hydrological data (water levels and discharge), and land use and land cover change analysis using remote sensing and GIS. Climate data were obtained from NASA's GISTEMP and the Hydrological Reanalysis for the Congo River Basin. Hydrological data were obtained from the Régie des Voies Fluviales. Land use and land cover change was analyzed using Landsat satellite imagery for five time periods (1983, 1993, 2003, 2013, and 2023). Results revealed significant fluctuations in climate variables over the study period. Temperature increased from 23.86°C in 1983 to 26.12°C in 2003, the highest recorded, before declining to 24.68°C in 2023. Precipitation decreased from 1,687.50 mm in 1983 to 1,302.64 mm in 2003, the lowest recorded, before increasing to 2,028.79 mm in 2023. The year 2003 exhibited the most significant climatic perturbation, with the highest temperature, lowest precipitation, and corresponding declines in water surface area (from 237 km² in 1983 to 191 km² in 2003) and vegetation indices (NDVI, NDWI, SAVI). The analysis of hydrological data revealed an overall decline in water levels and discharge over the study period, with the most significant declines…

Financial audit plays a critical role in ensuring good governance and accountability in public utility establishments. Through independent examination of financial statements and internal controls, financial audit provides assurance on the regularity and sincerity of accounts, identifies weaknesses, and makes recommendations for improvement. This article examines the impact of financial audit on governance and performance in public utility establishments, using the Performance-Based Financing Public Utility Establishment (EUP-FBP) in the Mongala Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, as a case study. The study employed documentary analysis of financial statements, budgets, and audit reports for the period 2019 to 2023, combined with analysis of the external audit report for the fiscal year 2022 conducted by AGESFO SARL. Results revealed that the EUP-FBP has a governance structure comprising a Board of Directors and a Directorate, with clear roles and responsibilities. The external audit confirmed the regularity and sincerity of the accounts, with an unqualified opinion. However, the audit identified several governance weaknesses, including contradictions in the statutes, personnel mismatches, and internal control deficiencies. The study found that financial audit has a positive impact on governance by enhancing transparency, accountability, and compliance with regulations. The audit also has a positive impact on performance by identifying inefficiencies and recommending improvements. However, the impact of audit depends on the implementation of recommendations and the strengthening of internal control systems. The findings confirm the hypothesis that financial audit has an impact on governance and performance. The article concludes that financial audit is essential for good governance and performance…

Understanding the trends and patterns of provincial budget expenditure is essential for effective fiscal policy formulation and resource allocation. This article examines the trend and economic implications of provincial budget expenditure in the Mongala Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, over the period 2020 to 2024. The study employed quantitative analysis using simple linear regression with ordinary least squares to determine the general trend of budget expenditures. Data were drawn from provincial budget documents for the years 2020 to 2024, supplemented by macroeconomic indicators from the Central Bank of Congo and the Ministry of Budget. Results revealed a consistent upward trend in provincial budget expenditures, with total expenditures rising from 94.6 billion CDF in 2020 to 282.5 billion CDF in 2024, representing an overall growth rate of 198.6% over the five-year period. The regression analysis confirmed a general upward trend, with the equation Yt = 20,555,651,366.11 + 38,036,813,910.79t demonstrating a positive slope of 38.0 billion CDF per year. The analysis of expenditure components revealed that current expenditures increased from 54.2% of total expenditures in 2020 to 81.8% in 2024, while capital expenditures declined from 45.1% to 17.7% over the same period. The sharp increase in expenditures from 2023 to 2024 (179.6% growth) was primarily driven by increases in current expenditures, particularly personnel costs (100.4% growth), transfers and interventions (383.0% growth), and expenditures related to construction and rehabilitation (454.5% growth). The comparison of the fitted trend line with actual expenditures showed that actual expenditures exceeded the trend in 2024 by 71.8 billion…

Local development projects small-scale, community-based initiatives in sectors such as water, sanitation, health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, livelihoods, and governance represent a significant proportion of development spending worldwide. Governments, international donors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community-based organizations invest billions of dollars annually in local development projects, based on the premise that these projects can improve living conditions, build local capacity, and empower communities. Yet evidence on project outcomes is sobering: an estimated thirty to fifty percent of local development projects fail fully or partially, wasting scarce resources, undermining community trust, and damaging relationships between communities and development actors. This persistent failure rate across diverse contexts and implementing organizations suggests that project management capacity at the local level is systematically deficient and that the factors determining success or failure are not well understood by practitioners. This study addresses the central research question: What factors distinguish successful from failed local development projects, and how do these factors interact to determine project outcomes? Employing a sequential mixed-methods design over twelve months, I conducted a retrospective comparative analysis of 120 local development projects (60 successful, 60 failed) across eight sectors implemented over ten years (2014-2023) in a developing economy. Projects were selected from project completion databases of government agencies, NGOs, and international donors, with success and failure status validated through independent evaluation reports. I supplemented quantitative analysis with forty-eight semi-structured interviews with project managers, community leaders, local government officials, and donor representatives, plus detailed case studies of twelve projects (six successful, six failed). Data were…

Digitalization is fundamentally reshaping the accounting profession and the design, implementation, and operation of internal control systems. Technologies including robotic process automation (rpa), cloud computing, artificial intelligence (ai), blockchain, and continuous monitoring systems are transforming traditional accounting practices—moving them from periodic, retrospective, manual processes toward real-time, forward-looking, automated workflows. Yet despite rapid technological adoption, substantial gaps remain between technological potential and realized benefits, with evidence of implementation challenges, control deficiencies, and unanticipated risks. This study addresses the central research problem: what is the impact of digitalization on accounting practices and internal control systems, and how can organizations maximize benefits while managing emerging risks? Employing a sequential mixed-methods design over 12 months, i conducted 28 semi-structured interviews with chief financial officers (cfos), controllers, internal auditors, and it audit managers across 22 organizations (ranging from 100millionto100millionto50 billion in revenue) spanning six industry sectors. I supplemented interview data with a survey of 312 accounting and audit professionals measuring technology adoption levels, perceived impacts on accounting practices (efficiency, accuracy, timeliness, insight quality), and internal control effectiveness (preventive vs. Detective controls, segregation of duties, audit trails, monitoring frequency). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and multiple regression.The results reveal five primary impacts of digitalization on accounting practices: (1) transaction processing efficiency increased by 65-85% for rpa-deployed processes (invoice processing, reconciliation, intercompany matching) with corresponding error reduction of 45-60%, (2) financial close cycle time decreased from average 8.2 days to 3.4 days (58% reduction) for highly digitalized organizations, (3) real-time reporting capabilities enabled…

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools have evolved from simple contact databases to sophisticated platforms incorporating artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and omnichannel orchestration. Despite annual global spending exceeding $80 billion, a substantial majority of CRM implementations fail to deliver expected returns, with industry estimates suggesting that 30–50% of CRM projects do not achieve their stated objectives. This persistent failure points to a fundamental problem: organizations treat CRM as a technology implementation rather than a strategic integration challenge. The central research problem addressed in this study is: What are the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities in integrating CRM tools into customer strategy, and how can organizations systematically address them? Employing a mixed-methods design over 10 months, I conducted 28 semi-structured interviews with CRM managers, chief customer officers, sales directors, marketing analytics leads, and IT integration specialists across 12 organizations spanning retail, financial services, telecommunications, and business-to-business manufacturing. I supplemented interview data with a survey of 156 CRM practitioners and analysis of 18 CRM implementation post-mortems. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data. The results reveal seven core challenge themes: (1) strategic misalignment between CRM capabilities and business objectives (reported by 82% of interview participants), (2) data quality and integration fragmentation (76%), (3) user adoption resistance and organizational inertia (71%), (4) metric selection and ROI attribution difficulties (68%), (5) privacy, consent, and regulatory compliance pressures (64%), (6) skill gaps in analytics and change management (61%), and (7) vendor lock-in and platform evolution uncertainty…

Domestic resource mobilization through taxation is central to financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in low- and middle-income countries. Yet tax systems in Niger and Ghana face persistent challenges: narrow tax bases, high informality, aggressive tax avoidance by multinational corporations, weak enforcement capacity, and low taxpayer morale. This study examines how ethical principles (fairness, transparency, reciprocity), cultural realities (informal economies, religious norms of zakat in Niger; communalism and social contracts in Ghana), and international SDG commitments interact to shape tax policy and compliance. Drawing on 42 semi-structured interviews with tax officials, policymakers, business representatives, and citizens, combined with an analysis of tax laws, revenue data, and audit reports from 2010 to 2024, the research identifies divergent approaches to tax ethics, enforcement, and reform in the two countries. Results reveal that Ghana has made greater progress in tax administration modernization (digitalization, revenue authority autonomy, large taxpayer offices) and in transparency through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). However, perceptions of unfairness in VAT exemptions and transfer pricing enforcement remain high. Niger, despite recent mining sector reforms, continues to struggle with extremely low tax-to-GDP ratios (under 15%), widespread informality (over 80% of employment), and corruption in tax collection. Both countries face the ethical dilemma of taxing extractive industries fairly while remaining competitive for foreign investment. Islamic zakat in Niger and communal solidarity norms in Ghana offer culturally embedded resources for tax morale, yet these are rarely integrated into formal tax administration. The study proposes a culturally intelligent, ethically grounded, and SDG-aligned tax…

International commercial arbitration has become the default dispute resolution mechanism for cross-border transactions. However, a persistent critique is that arbitration remains rooted in Western legal traditions, procedural norms, and ethical benchmarks that may not adequately account for the cultural and legal realities of non-Western parties. This study examines how arbitral institutions and practitioners in Niger (a Francophone civil law jurisdiction with strong Islamic influences) and Ghana (an Anglophone common law jurisdiction) navigate the tension between universal procedural standards (e.g., due process, impartiality, confidentiality) and culturally specific expectations of fairness, including oral tradition, consensual decision-making, religious ethics, and relational justice. Drawing on 36 semi-structured interviews with arbitrators, legal counsel, and arbitral institution officials, combined with an analysis of 45 arbitral awards and procedural orders, the research identifies divergent approaches to arbitrator selection, evidentiary procedures, witness examination, and settlement practices. Results reveal that Ghanaian arbitration exhibits a hybrid common law-customary model, incorporating elements of cross-examination and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) influenced by traditional chieftaincy processes. Nigerien arbitration, while formally following OHADA uniform arbitration law, shows significant influence of Islamic conciliation (sulh) and a preference for written proceedings over oral testimony. Ethical challenges include concerns about arbitrator impartiality in small legal communities, enforcement of awards against state-owned entities, and the exclusion of non-Western legal reasoning from arbitral reasoning. The study proposes a culturally intelligent arbitration framework that respects local legal cultures while maintaining core ethical standards of fairness.

This article proposes an integrated model for improving recruitment effectiveness in intergovernmental organizations, drawing on empirical findings from the Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA). The research identifies critical gaps between formal recruitment procedures and implementation practices, including inadequate internal communication, non-systematic internal prospecting, limited stakeholder participation, and inconsistent onboarding procedures. Building on theoretical frameworks from Peretti (2013), Cohen-Heagel (2010), and Gavand (2005), the study develops a seven-stage integrated recruitment model incorporating strategic needs identification, clear position profiling, transparent announcement, rigorous pre-selection, structured selection, decision and contracting, and comprehensive onboarding. The model emphasizes stakeholder participation, transparency, and systematic integration procedures. The article also proposes corrective activities including creating a coordinating HR unit, strengthening recruiter training, integrating annual HR audits, developing an integrated digital HR platform, and implementing recruitment monitoring dashboards. The integrated model addresses identified weaknesses while building on ASECNA's existing strengths, including budgeted positions, job descriptions, internal mobility possibilities, and online vacancy dissemination. The research contributes to the literature on recruitment in public sector and intergovernmental contexts by providing a practical, evidence-based framework for improving recruitment effectiveness and equity in multinational organizations.

Customer loyalty has become a strategic priority for companies in the banking sector, where intense competition, changing customer expectations, and digital disruption require effective customer retention strategies. This article examines the determinants of customer loyalty in the banking sector of Burkina Faso, sub-Saharan Africa, based on an empirical study conducted among 223 banking customers across three cities (Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Koudougou). The study employed a quantitative approach using a structured questionnaire administered to customers of fifteen banks operating in Burkina Faso. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and chi-square tests. The findings reveal that price/interest rate (41.7%), service quality (22%), and bank representativeness on national territory (21.5%) are the main determinants of bank choice. Customer satisfaction levels indicate that 67.7% of respondents are somewhat satisfied and 12.6% are completely satisfied, with only complete satisfaction being loyalty-generating. Customer recommendations show that 60.1% of respondents recommend their bank to others. The study identifies key loyalty determinants including staff attitudes and behavior, reception environment, and price/interest rates. The research confirms two main hypotheses: (1) customer quality determination in a bank depends on bank choice criteria, permanence or change of bank, and recommendation possibility; (2) customer loyalty conditions are multifactorial including staff behavior, reception environment, and price variables. The article proposes a customer management framework for bank loyalty based on price/interest rates, reception environment, representativeness, service quality, and customer listening. Recommendations include reducing waiting times, training staff in customer reception techniques, improving ATM availability, and increasing transparency on fees.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been experiencing a multifaceted crisis characterized by growing insecurity, economic tensions, and profound social challenges. This security crisis has had severe impacts on business operations, with more than 20 percent of enterprises closing in high-risk zones, a 2.5 percent decline in GDP in 2022, and inflation reaching 7.8 percent. This article examines the impact of operational experience in crisis zones on organizational resilience, drawing on the case of Tarwendé Business International (TBI), a major private sector actor in Burkina Faso. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including documentary review, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and direct observation. The analysis reveals that operational experience in security crisis contexts contributes to organizational resilience through several mechanisms: development of situational awareness, accumulation of crisis management knowledge, establishment of adaptive routines, and strengthening of risk anticipation capabilities. The article concludes that prior experience in crisis zones is a valuable asset for building organizational resilience, but that experience alone is insufficient without systematic learning processes and organizational support.

In security crisis contexts, no single enterprise can navigate the challenges alone. Collaboration with other enterprises, government agencies, financial institutions, and international partners is essential for maintaining business continuity and building organizational resilience. This article analyzes the effect of inter-firm collaborations and stakeholder engagement on organizational resilience, drawing on the case of Tarwendé Business International (TBI) in Burkina Faso. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including documentary review, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and direct observation. The analysis reveals that TBI's collaborative strategy includes: partnerships with the state (subsidies and tax relief); partnerships with banks and financial institutions (increased credit lines); partnerships with international suppliers (supply chain security); and partnerships with security forces (staff and asset protection). The article concludes that inter-firm collaborations and stakeholder engagement significantly increase organizational resilience in security crisis contexts, and that effective collaboration requires trust, mutual benefit, clear communication, and formal agreements.

The mobilization of innovative financing mechanisms for climate action is essential for achieving sustainable development in the Congo Basin. Yet, significant constraints limit the deployment of these mechanisms, including financial, technical, institutional, and political barriers. This article addresses the fourth specific objective of a broader HDR research project: to determine the impact of the development of flexible financing plans and bankable projects on the mobilization of innovative climate finance for the Congo Basin. Drawing on resilience theory, sustainable finance frameworks, risk management theory, and economic incentives theory, the research examines the conditions under which innovative financing mechanisms can effectively mobilize resources for climate action. The analysis reveals that the development of flexible financing plans and bankable projects is not a significant constraint for the mobilization of innovative climate finance when enabling conditions are in place. Key enabling conditions include: stable regulatory frameworks, strong institutional capacity, effective risk mitigation instruments, and alignment of incentives across actors. The article concludes that overcoming the constraints to innovative climate finance requires a comprehensive approach that addresses financial, technical, institutional, and political barriers simultaneously.

Sustainable human capital is essential for achieving inclusive and lasting economic development in Africa. This article analyzes the contribution of research and training to the construction of sustainable and inclusive human capital in Burkina Faso, drawing on the case of AGROSERV Industrie SA. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including documentary review, semi-structured interviews, and direct observation. The analysis reveals that AGROSERV Industrie SA contributes to sustainable human capital development through four mechanisms: creation of skilled employment opportunities; continuous training of employees; support for local producers; and integration of research and innovation into production processes. The article concludes that the integration of research, training, and innovation into enterprise strategy contributes significantly to the development of qualified, adaptable, and sustainable human capital, while also promoting local economic development through job creation, agricultural resource valorization, and reduced import dependence. The AGROSERV model offers lessons for other African enterprises seeking to build sustainable human capital.