Monitoring and Evaluation Practices and Road Safety Data Quality in Africa: A Case of Selected African Countries

Abstract

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in the context of road safety is a critical component of an overarching strategy aimed at reducing traffic incidents and improving road user safety. The problem of poor road safety data persists in Africa. Reliable data are indispensable for understanding the dynamics of road traffic crashes, formulating appropriate interventions, and evaluating the effectiveness of policies and programs. This study aimed to assess the influence of M&E practices on road safety data quality in Africa, focusing on seven selected African countries (Cameroon, Kenya, Lesotho, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Ghana, and Burundi). This study was guided by three specific research objectives: determining the influence of data collection on road safety data quality in Africa, establishing the influence of resource allocation on road safety data quality in Africa, and assessing the influence of M&E staff expertise on road safety data quality in Africa. To achieve the stated objectives, this study adopted a mixedmethod descriptive research design using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population in this study comprised road safety agencies and ministries in the selected countries, such as the road safety lead agency, Police, Health, Transport, and road safety NGO. The study adopted a stratified purposive and convenience sampling technique through which the respondents were selected. A sample size of 129 individuals was derived from the target population (180) using stratified purposive and convenience sampling. A questionnaire survey with Likert-scale questions for quantitative data and open-ended questions for qualitative data was used for data collection from respondents. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using Excel and SmartPLS4, and the results are presented in tables and figures. Qualitative reports were analyzed thematically in line with the study objectives, and the results were presented in summary essay forms. The major findings based on the three objectives of this study were a statistically significant positive influence of data collection (β = 0.462, p < 0.05, f² = 0.341), resource allocation (β = 0.258, p < 0.05, f² = 0.111) and M&E staff expertise (β = 0.224, p < 0.05, f² = 0.093) on road safety data quality. This is supported by key qualitative results that point to underreporting, inconsistent data collection, outdated technology, limited resources, lack of standardization, and inadequate training and capacity building for M&E staff. As this study has shown a statistically significant positive relationship between M&E practices and road safety data quality in the selected African countries, a key recommendation is that future studies should investigate and develop a detailed M&E framework to guide African countries in improving road safety data quality. The framework should aim to guide road safety stakeholders not only in tailoring global road safety indicators to their country contexts, but also in practically monitoring and evaluating their road safety progress towards achieving set targets. Other recommendations have been made to improve the M&E practices (data collection, resource allocation, and M&E staff expertise) to boost the quality of road safety data in Africa.