Esmie Nhlane is a runner-up of the Africa Evidence Leadership Award 2024 in the Evidence Mediator category offered by the Africa Evidence Network. We asked Esmie to reflect on her work.
In Malawi, as in many other African countries in the region, the pursuit of sustainable development is a top priority. However, achieving this goal requires more than just good intentions and well-designed policies or programmes—it demands rigorous and systematic Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) that is deeply rooted in solid evidence at all levels. Evidence-based M&E is essential for ensuring that development initiatives are effective, efficient, and aligned with the national development plans and the population's needs.
Enhancing Accountability and Transparency
Evidence-based M&E is critical for enhancing accountability and transparency in government and development programmes. By systematically collecting and analysing data, M&E processes can provide clear, objective information on how resources are used and whether they produce the intended outcomes. This transparency is vital for building public trust and ensuring that all stakeholders—government officials, donors, and citizens—are informed about the progress and impact of development initiatives.
In Malawi, mainly, where resources are often scarce and limited, it is crucial to demonstrate that funds are being used effectively to address the most pressing issues. Evidence-based M&E provides the data needed to hold programmes accountable and make necessary adjustments, ensuring that development efforts are both responsible and responsive.
Informing Policy and Programme Design
Effective policy-making and programme design rely on accurate and relevant evidence. Without evidence-based M&E, policies may be based on assumptions or incomplete information, leading to interventions that are misaligned with the actual needs of the population. By contrast, M&E, grounded in robust evidence, provides policymakers with the insights they need to design more likely to succeed programmes.
For example, in the health sector, evidence-based M&E can reveal which interventions are most effective in reducing child mortality or combating infectious diseases. This information is invaluable for efficiently shaping policies that target the right issues. Similarly, in the education sector, M&E can identify gaps in access and quality, allowing for more targeted and effective educational reforms.
Supporting Adaptive Management
One of the key advantages of evidence-based M&E is its role in supporting adaptive management. Development contexts are often complex and rapidly changing, and what works today may not work tomorrow. By continuously monitoring programme performance and evaluating outcomes, evidence-based M&E allows real-time adjustments to be made, ensuring that programmes remain relevant and effective.
This approach is particularly important in Malawi, given the challenges posed by climate change, economic fluctuations, and public health crises. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for adaptive management, as programmes across the country had to be quickly adjusted to address new realities. Evidence-based M&E was crucial in guiding these adjustments, ensuring that resources were reallocated effectively to where they were most needed.
Building a Culture of Learning and Improvement
Evidence-based M&E fosters a culture of learning and continuous improvement. By systematically evaluating what works and what does not, organisations can learn from their experiences and apply those lessons to future initiatives. This culture of learning is essential for achieving long-term development goals.
In Malawi, where development challenges are multifaceted, learning and adapting is critical. Evidence-based M&E encourages stakeholders to reflect on their practices, share insights, and collaborate on solutions. This collaborative learning environment improves individual programmes and strengthens the overall development ecosystem.
Enhancing Data Collection and Management
At the heart of evidence-based M&E is the need for reliable data. A well-designed MIS enables systematic and efficient data collection, storage, and management, ensuring that all relevant information is captured accurately and consistently. This centralised system allows for the seamless integration of data from various sources, such as surveys, administrative records, and real-time monitoring tools, making it easier to analyse and interpret the information.
Without a robust MIS, data collection processes can be fragmented, leading to gaps or inconsistencies in the data. This undermines the credibility of the evidence generated and, consequently, the effectiveness of the M&E process. By contrast, an MIS ensures that data is comprehensive, up-to-date, and readily accessible, providing a solid foundation for evidence-based decision-making.
Investing in the development of M&E Management Information System
A Management Information System is a vital component of evidence-based Monitoring and Evaluation. By enhancing data collection, supporting real-time monitoring, facilitating analysis, promoting accountability, and enabling knowledge management, an MIS provides the tools necessary for making informed decisions and driving sustainable development outcomes. As organisations and governments continue to prioritise evidence-based approaches, investing in robust MIS infrastructure will be vital to maximising the impact of their M&E efforts and achieving lasting change as most of the MISs operates in silos hence the need for developing an integrated system.
Conclusion
Evidence-based Monitoring and Evaluation is not just a technical process but a powerful tool for driving sustainable development in Malawi. By enhancing accountability, informing policy design, supporting adaptive management, and fostering a culture of learning, evidence-based M&E ensures that development initiatives are well-intentioned and effective.
As Malawi continues its journey towards sustainable development, the importance of evidence-based M&E cannot be overstated. It is the foundation upon which successful, impactful, and lasting change is built. Through continued investment in M&E systems and capacity, Malawi can ensure that the best possible evidence guides every development effort, leading to a brighter and more prosperous future for all its citizens.
About the author: Esmie Nhlane is a dynamic Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) expert known for her pioneering work in developing Government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation Management Information Systems (MIS). With over 17 years of working experience in the field, Esmie has played a key role in transforming how the public sector uses data to promote evidence-based decision-making while improving accountability and transparency.
Esmie's interest in using data to inform policy and enhance public service delivery led her to pursue a career in monitoring and evaluation. She has a Master of Arts in Economic Policy Management from the University of Zambia, and shortly after graduation, she spearheaded the development of the result M&E framework for the then-National Development Strategy, the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III 2017-2022). During her Secondment as M&E Specialist at the National Planning Commission in 2020, she headed the M&E Directorate. She led the Mid-Term Review of the MGDS III, which served as a benchmark for developing the current Malawi Vision 2063.
Esmie managed M&E programmes nationally and internationally throughout her career, collaborating with government agencies, development partners, and civil society organisations. Esmie, in 2022, was appointed as a member of the Evaluation Reference Group for the Malawi-UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation 2019-2023 because of her devotion to leading data for evidence-based decision-making. Her expertise in building and implementing M&E frameworks that cover the full policy cycle. Driven by a dedication to results, she coordinated the formulation of the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the National Evaluation Plan (NEP). Through her leadership, she managed to secure funding from the UNICEF Malawi office to deploy a consultant to develop ToRs for the NEP, which will guide evaluations for evidence-based, informed policy decisions.
Esme’s leadership coordinated the establishment of government-wide M&E management information systems, which is one of her most significant contributions—recognising the need for a centralised platform to integrate and harmonise M&E data across government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). This public reform area increased data quality and availability, but have also made it easier to develop evidence-based policies, allocate resources, and manage development performance. Furthermore, to guarantee data availability for the functionality of the MIS system, Esme spearheaded the development of a harmonised reporting template for all MDA programmes and projects.
Esme’s impact extends beyond the technical aspects of M&E systems. She is deeply committed to assisting government officials and M&E practitioners in making sound data-driven decisions. She chaired the National Aids Commission Research, M&E Technical Working Group. She led many training workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing events, equipping stakeholders with the skills and resources they need to use M&E systems to achieve meaningful change.
Esme's passion for innovation and social impact drives her to continue pushing the frontiers of M&E practice, developing the sector, and achieving concrete gains in governance and development outcomes. Esme coordinated the development of the Malawi National Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Committee, comprising M&E experts from both state and non-state actors, because of her visionary leadership and uncompromising commitment to quality.
Acknowledgements: The author(s) is solely responsible for the content of this article, including all errors or omissions; acknowledgements do not imply endorsement of the content. The author is grateful to Charity Chisoro and Siziwe Ngcwabe for their guidance in preparing and finalising this article, as well as their editorial support.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in published blog posts, as well as any errors or omissions, are the sole responsibility of the author/s and do not represent the views of the Africa Evidence Network, its secretariat, advisory or reference groups, or its funders; nor does it imply endorsement by the afore-mentioned parties
Suggested citation: Nhlane, E. (2024) The Importance of Evidence-Based Monitoring and Evaluation in Malawi. Blog posting on 15 August 2024. Available at: https://www.africaevidencenetwork.org/en/learning-space/article/355/
