Our History
Our History
The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) was established in 1999 to address the significant challenges faced by evaluators in Africa. Prior to its founding, opportunities for networking and sharing evaluation experiences were limited, and evaluators often worked in isolation. Training in evaluation approaches, methodologies, and standards was scarce, and evaluators were typically technical specialists or management consultants.
Limited Networking and Training:
Before 1999, evaluators in Africa had few opportunities to network and share experiences. They often worked in isolation, with limited training in evaluation methodologies and standards. Evaluation capacity-building efforts were mostly driven by international development organizations, with little focus on nurturing advanced evaluation expertise within Africa.
Pre-1999Founding of AfrEA:
In response to the growing need for advocacy, information sharing, and capacity building in evaluation, the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) was founded. This marked the beginning of a concerted effort to build a strong African evaluation community. Prior to its formal registration, AfrEA focused on establishing itself as a key player in the evaluation field, supporting national evaluation associations and networks, and promoting high-quality evaluation practices and theories.
1999Development of African Evaluation Guidelines:
AfrEA facilitated the development of the African Evaluation Guidelines (AEG), adapted from the International Programme Evaluation Standards to suit African contexts. Seven African evaluation associations developexad the guidelines in 2002. They were updated in September 2006 by 25 representatives from 14 evaluation associations. The Guidelines provide a checklist of 30 items essential for quality assurance and ethical conduct in evaluation.
2002Conceptualization of Made in Africa Evaluation:
A concept of Made in Africa Evaluation discussed in the 4th AfrEA Conference that took place from 17 to 19 January in Niamey, Niger. At this conference there was a special stream to discuss the topic, “Making Evaluation our Own: Strengthening the Foundation for Africa Rooted and Africa Led Monitoring and Evaluation”.
2007Formal Registration of AfrEA:
AfrEA formally established itself as a non-profit umbrella organization registered in Accra, Ghana. This step solidified its legitimacy and role in African development.
2009Birth of the African Evaluation Journal:
The first edition of the African Evaluation Journal was published. The journal publishes high quality peer-reviewed articles merit on any subject related to evaluation, and provides targeted information of professional interest to members of AfrEA and its national associations.
2013Development of the African Evaluation Principles:
The African Evaluation Principles replaced the African Evaluation Guidelines developed in 2002. The principles, generated using a broad-based consultative process, bring an important and relevant perspective to broader dialogue about evaluator competencies and evaluation principles.
2021Establishment of the AfrEA Council of Elders:
The AfrEA Council of Elders is an advisory body of the association and consists of previous Presidents. The council meets on an annual basis. It’s first meeting was held on June 3, 2024, with 8 former AfrEA presidents in attendance.
Establishment of the AfrEA Presidential Council:
The AfrEA Presidential Council comprises the Executive Committee members of AfrEA's Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs). This esteemed group plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between AfrEA and its VOPEs, ensuring seamless communication and cooperation.
2024Limited Networking and Training
Before 1999, evaluators in Africa had few opportunities to network and share experiences. They often worked in isolation, with limited training in evaluation methodologies and standards. Evaluation capacity-building efforts were mostly driven by international development organizations, with little focus on nurturing advanced evaluation expertise within Africa.
Founding of AfrEA
In response to the growing need for advocacy, information sharing, and capacity building in evaluation, the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) was founded. This marked the beginning of a concerted effort to build a strong African evaluation community. Prior to its formal registration, AfrEA focused on establishing itself as a key player in the evaluation field, supporting national evaluation associations and networks, and promoting high-quality evaluation practices and theories.
Development of African Evaluation Guidelines
AfrEA facilitated the development of the African Evaluation Guidelines (AEG), adapted from the International Programme Evaluation Standards to suit African contexts. Seven African evaluation associations developed the guidelines in 2002. They were updated in September 2006 by 25 representatives from 14 evaluation associations. The Guidelines provide a checklist of 30 items essential for quality assurance and ethical conduct in evaluation.
Conceptualization of Made in Africa Evaluation
A concept of Made in Africa Evaluation discussed in the 4th AfrEA Conference that took place from 17 to 19 January in Niamey, Niger. At this conference there was a special stream to discuss the topic, “Making Evaluation our Own: Strengthening the Foundation for Africa Rooted and Africa Led Monitoring and Evaluation”.
Formal Registration of AfrEA
AfrEA formally established itself as a non-profit umbrella organization registered in Accra, Ghana. This step solidified its legitimacy and role in African development.
Birth of the African Evaluation Journal
The first edition of the African Evaluation Journal was published. The journal publishes high quality peer-reviewed articles merit on any subject related to evaluation, and provides targeted information of professional interest to members of AfrEA and its national associations.
Development of the African Evaluation Principles
The African Evaluation Principles replaced the African Evaluation Guidelines developed in 2002. The principles, generated using a broad-based consultative process, bring an important and relevant perspective to broader dialogue about evaluator competencies and evaluation principles.
- Establishment of the AfrEA Council of Elders: The AfrEA Council of Elders is an advisory body of the association and consists of previous Presidents. The council meets on an annual basis. It’s first meeting was held on June 3, 2024, with 8 former AfrEA presidents in attendance.
- Establishment of the AfrEA Presidential Council: The AfrEA Presidential Council comprises the Executive Committee members of AfrEA’s Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs). This esteemed group plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between AfrEA and its VOPEs, ensuring seamless communication and cooperation.
1999
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Despite the existence of some national evaluation networks, these were often isolated and lacked the capacity and resources to facilitate effective networking and knowledge sharing. Evaluation capacity-building efforts were sporadic and primarily driven by international development organizations. There were few initiatives to develon advanced evaluation expertise, promote context-specific training, or highlight African evaluation expertise on international platforms. The demand for evaluation was low, and its use for learning and decision-making was limited, primarily driven by accountability to international aid agencies.
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Challenges and Initial Efforts
Despite the existence of some national evaluation networks, these were often isolated and lacked the capacity and resources to facilitate effective networking and knowledge sharing. Evaluation capacity-building efforts were sporadic and primarily driven by international development organizations. There were few initiatives to develon advanced evaluation expertise, promote context-specific training, or highlight African evaluation expertise on international platforms. The demand for evaluation was low, and its use for learning and decision-making was limited, primarily driven by accountability to international aid agencies.
1999Formation of AfrEA
AfrEA was founded to address these challenges. It was established as an umbrella organization for national evaluation associations and networks, and as a resource for evaluators in countries without such networks. AfrEA is inclusive, comprising national associations and networks that include professional evaluators, policymakers, academics, government officials, researchers, development practitioners, and other individuals interested in evaluation.
XXXXGrowth and Impact
Since its inception, AfrEA has played a crucial role in fostering a vibrant evaluation community in Africa. It has facilitated the sharing of knowledge and best practices, promoted the development of evaluation capacity, and highlighted African evaluation expertise on international platforms. AfrEA continues to support evaluators across the continent, advocating for the importance of evaluation in learning, decision-making, and accountability.
XXXXLooking Ahead
AfrEA remains committed to its mission of strengthening the evaluation profession in Africa. As the demand for evaluation grows, AfrEA will continue to support evaluators, promote high standards of practice, and advocate for the use of evaluation to inform policy and practice across the continent.
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