On 4 July 2024, the Public Policy Hub (PPH) and the Chair in Municipal Finance in Africa held a workshop on the Policy Development Process and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS) with the Policy and Research Services in the Presidency (PRS) and Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). The workshop aimed to discuss the SEIAS tool, which is part of PRS, and explore its integration within academic contexts and local municipalities. The event was honoured by the presence of the Deputy Director General of the DPME, Advocate Gugu Thimane, and the Head of Policy and Research Services of the PRS, Pulane Kole.

The Acting Director of SEIAS in the Presidency, Gaynore MacMaster's presentation provided an overview of the SEIAS tool and its impact. She described SEIAS as an ex-ante policy analysis tool designed to strengthen policy-making for public issues. The tool is applied at various stages of policy making, including research, green paper, white paper, and draft bill. SEIAS supports decision making by evaluating policy alternatives to address emerging challenges and opportunities. The tool has a significant impact on policy quality through comprehensive socio-economic analysis. It improves decision making by assessing different policy options, promotes transparency and accountability in the policy-making process, mitigates risks and costs through proactive strategies, and aligns policy proposals with national priorities such as the National Development Plan. Overall, SEIAS contributes to more informed, balanced, and effective policy development, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of government policy initiatives.

Prof Nara Monkam, Head of the PPH and Chair in Municipal Finance at the University of Pretoria (UP), emphasised the importance of bridging the gap between academia and the public sector through rigorous data analysis and research. The PPH and the Chair aim to address the unique challenges faced by African municipalities, focusing on revenue mobilisation, municipal governance, and the provision of quality, accessible services. The Deputy Dean of Research and Postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at UP, Prof Karin Barac, expressed her support for these initiatives, highlighting the importance of impactful, evidence-based research for policy decisions.

Deputy Director General Thimane reiterated the importance of partnerships and collaborations in evidence-based policy making. She stressed the need to translate theory into practice, ensuring that workshops and discussions lead to tangible outcomes.

To establish a partnership between UP and PRS and promote awareness and use of the tool at the local government level, the following ideas were discussed:

• Developing a train-the-trainer programme: A programme is being developed to train university staff and selected municipal officials on the SEIAS tool.
• Integrating SEIAS into academic curriculum: SEIAS will be embedded in the curriculum for master’s and PhD students in relevant fields to ensure its principles are ingrained in future research and practice.
• Customising SEIAS for municipalities: Workshops will be convened with municipalities to customise SEIAS tools according to local needs, enhancing their applicability and effectiveness.
• Collaborating with the National School of Government: Partnering with the National School of Government to incorporate SEIAS training into their executive programmes, broadening its reach and impact.
• Establishing a research and policy development network: A network will be established to support research and policy development, integrating SEIAS into various research projects.
• Evaluating and improving SEIAS implementation: Regular evaluations will be conducted to identify areas for improvement in SEIAS implementation, ensuring continuous enhancement of the system.
• Addressing over-regulation: A review will be undertaken to streamline existing policies, reducing the regulatory burden on municipalities and fostering a more efficient regulatory environment.

The workshop successfully laid the foundation for integrating the SEIAS tool within academic and municipal frameworks. Through collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives, the PPH, the Chair in Municipal Finance in Africa, and the PRS aim to enhance evidence-based policymaking, ensuring impactful outcomes for African municipalities. The commitment to training, curriculum integration, and continuous evaluation underscores the dedication to fostering sustainable development and effective governance.

Click here to access the gallery of images from the workshop.