Regulation

We often think of the world in terms of tangible things: buildings, roads, markets, and technology. Yet, the smooth operation of our complex society depends on something less visible but equally fundamental: regulations. Far from being merely bureaucratic red tape, regulations are the essential architecture—the rules of the game—that allow for safety, fairness, innovation, and trust to flourish. They are the necessary framework that balances individual freedom with collective well-being. At their core, regulations are simply rules established by governments or other authorities to guide behavior, manage risk, and achieve specific public goals. They are the guardrails that prevent our societal race toward progress from veering off a cliff.

The need for regulation arises from the inherent complexities and potential failures of any system, particularly free markets. Their purposes are multifaceted. Protecting Public Safety and Health is the most intuitive function. Building codes ensure our homes and offices won’t collapse. Food safety standards prevent contamination and illness. Regulations governing pharmaceuticals ensure that the medicines we take are both effective and safe. These rules are written in the blood of past tragedies, learned from disasters that occurred when such guardrails were absent. Unchecked competition can lead to monopolies that stifle choice and inflate prices. Regulations on anti-competitive behavior ensure a level playing field. Consumer protection laws prevent fraud and ensure that products do what they claim. Labor laws establish minimum wages, safe working conditions, and protect against exploitation, recognizing the inherent power imbalance between individual employees and large corporations. The “tragedy of the commons” describes how individuals acting in their own self-interest can collectively destroy a shared resource. Environmental regulations—on emissions, waste disposal, and resource extraction—protect air, water, and land for the benefit of all, including future generations. They force the accounting of costs that would otherwise be passed on to society. Financial regulations are a prime example. Capital requirements for banks, oversight of stock markets, and rules against insider trading are designed to prevent the kind of catastrophic collapses that lead to recessions and wipe out life savings. They create the trust necessary for people to invest and participate in the economy. Without them, the entire financial system becomes a casino with rigged games.

Regulations should be grounded in data and a clear analysis of the problem they aim to solve, not just political whim. The goal should be to achieve safety or fairness, not simply to tick boxes. Performance-based regulations can be more effective than prescriptive, one-size-fits-all rules. The burden of regulation should be proportional to the risk it seeks to mitigate. The rules for a small local bakery should not be as complex as those for a multinational pharmaceutical company. In a fast-changing world, especially in fields like technology, regulations must be adaptable. They should be periodically reviewed and updated to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

To face up to the challenges we face in Africa,  policies, laws and regulations need to adapt to the fast pace of technological change, to foster innovation, to protect the welfare and safety of Africans. Public administrations need to be effective, flexible and focused. This is the standard which the African Union has to set for itself, and this is why AIPSAPP has made Better Regulation one of our core priorities.

Despite this, recent years have seen a rise in high-profile regulatory failures, overshadowing examples of effective oversight. Nigeria’s controversial move to redesign its currency in 2023 led to widespread cash shortages, economic disruptions, and public outrage – raising questions about regulatory planning and impact assessment. In Zimbabwe, electoral processes have long been under scrutiny, with the ZEC being accused of bias and lack of transparency. Regulatory failures have led to inadequate enforcement of electoral laws, limited access to voter rolls, and failure to ensure a level playing field during elections. This stands in contrast to Ghana, where the Electoral Commission is generally seen as a model of good regulatory practice in Africa.

Amid tightening budgets and growing demand for public services, regulators today are under pressure to design and enforce regulation more effectively—without placing undue burdens on those being regulated. This requires not only smarter enforcement strategies but also a deep understanding of human behaviour, the ability to strike a balance between compliance and support, and a concerted effort to avoid risk aversion and bureaucratic inefficiency.

AIPSAPP’s Role in Supporting People, Infrastructure and Development

The African Institute for Parliamentary Studies and Public Policy (AIPSAPP) is committed to supporting governments and public institutions in Africa adapt to these evolving challenges and in advancing reform and enhancing institutional effectiveness through a comprehensive range of services:

Research

AIPSAPP produces research that informs best practices in governance, regulation, and electoral processes. The Institute maintains a rich repository of resources—including academic papers, documentaries, and films—and works collaboratively with universities, scholars, and research organisations across the globe to support evidence-based policymaking.

High-Level Networks

AIPSAPP has established a professional network for senior officials and practitioners in electoral and governance affairs. This network offers structured opportunities for engagement, allowing members to share insights, collaborate on reforms, and disseminate best practices.

Consultancy Services

AIPSAPP provides tailored consultancy services to public administrations worldwide, covering a diverse array of areas, including: Voter registration and electoral technology, Stakeholder engagement and communications, Data management and project delivery, Electoral psychology and polling day operations, Personnel training and capacity development, Ballot counting procedures and integrity measures, Transparency and international credibility of election outcomes, Legal frameworks and statutory models, Boundary commission operations, Minority inclusion programmes, Post-conflict governance and state rebuilding, Fundamental human rights implementation. These services are designed to promote institutional reform, democratic legitimacy, and inclusive governance.

Training and Professional Development

AIPSAPP offers bespoke training programmes for professionals involved in election management and public policy implementation. Developed in collaboration with expert partners, these programmes are tailored to meet the unique needs of participants. The Institute also delivers internationally recognised professional qualifications in electoral processes, governance, parliamentary affairs, and public policy—accredited by leading institutions. In an era where effective regulation and public sector reform are more crucial than ever, AIPSAPP continues to serve as a trusted partner in strengthening institutions and fostering innovation in governance.