National evaluation policies in the MENA region

This chapter examines national evaluation policies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, focusing on national laws, regulations, and policies that mandate evaluation. This study analyzes evaluation frameworks in Gulf countries, the Levant, and North Africa, revealing diverse approaches shaped by distinct political, economic, and social contexts. Findings indicate a trend toward integrating evaluation into national development strategies and governance structures, with varying degrees of formalization and implementation. While some countries have established sophisticated performance management systems, others need to develop comprehensive evaluation policies. This analysis highlights international organizations’ influence, political systems’ impact on evaluation practices and the tension between technocratic governance models and public accountability. The chapter concludes that further development of evaluation capacities and broader political reforms are necessary to enhance evaluation effectiveness in promoting accountability and evidence-based decision making across the MENA region.