Enhancing Policy Uptake in Central Africa: Navigating Challenges Faced by Think Tanks and Civil Society Actors

Abstract

Policy uptake, the process through which research, evidence, and recommendations are integrated into actual policymaking and governance, is a critical step in achieving effective and sustainable development outcomes. In Central Africa, despite a wealth of research and advocacy efforts, many well-designed policies fail to translate into meaningful action or impact on the ground. This gap largely stems from systemic barriers embedded within political, institutional, and socio-economic contexts.

Think tanks and civil society organizations (CSOs) have traditionally served as providers of information and evidence to policymakers. However, this role, while important, often limits their influence to the periphery of decision-making processes. Policymaking is frequently perceived as a "black box," with opaque power dynamics and complex political negotiations that exclude or marginalize evidence-based contributions. This brief argues for a paradigm shift: think tanks and CSOs must evolve from passive information providers to active "policy entrepreneurs." As policy entrepreneurs, these actors can strategically navigate the political landscape, build alliances, frame issues persuasively, and leverage windows of opportunity to ensure that evidence-based policies are not only formulated but also adopted and implemented. By understanding and addressing the systemic barriers to policy uptake, think tanks and CSOs can play a transformative role in advancing governance and development in Central Africa.