Decentralization and Good Governance

Decentralization and good governance are policy instruments whereby the world in general and African in particular have pursued it for the past 40 and 50 years. Despite empirical studies not yet being conclusive, decentralization helps to improve good governance. Decentralization and good governance are brought into Africa following the beginning and end of structural reforms, to bring economic development, respectively. The chapter has six parts. The first part deals with the introduction and background of good governance and decentralization. The second part highlights the meanings or concepts and elements of good governance, and issues and concepts related to decentralization. The third part insights the relationship between decentralization and good governance. The fourth part gives some highlights about decentralization and good governance in Africa, and when and why decentralization has been introduced among African nations. The fifth part investigates the relationship between decentralization, good governance, and economic development; and the last part provides conclusion.