This study examines the long-term effects of governance indicators on human development in Sierra Leone. The analysis utilizes a 20-year dataset covering the period 2004 to 2023, allowing for an assessment of how sustained changes in governance quality have influenced human development outcomes in the country over time. Data for governance indicators were obtained from World Governance Indicators produced by the World Bank, whereas human development data were obtained from the UNICEF’s human development index. The study employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling technique. Unlike in the short-run that shows that governance indicators do not impact HDI, the results indicate that control of corruption and rule of law exert statistically significant long-term effects on human development in Sierra Leone, while the other governance indicators are statistically insignificant. Overall, these findings highlight the pivotal role of corruption control and legal integrity as foundational drivers of sustained human development in Sierra Leone. Consistent efforts to strengthen anti-corruption measures and uphold legal institutions are associated with measurable improvements in key human development dimensions, including education, health, and income. Additionally, these findings highlight the need for governance reforms that focus on enhancing political stability, improving regulatory quality, and addressing inefficiencies in government expenditure, ensuring proper financial management. The policymakers should focus on creating a situation that promotes good governance.
| Published in | Journal of Public Policy and Administration (Volume 10, Issue 1) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13 |
| Page(s) | 27-37 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group |
ADRL, Governance Indicators, Sierra Leone, HDI
| [1] | S. E. Saputro, M. Z. Hamzah, and B. Santosa, “Determinant Factors of Human Development and Its Impact on Level of Productivity in ASEAN Countries,” in Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Collaboration in Business, Technology, Information, and Innovation (SCBTII 2023), vol. 265. |
| [2] | F. N. Nwobodo, “Cost of governance and human development in Enugu State,” J. Policy Dev. Stud., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 41-57, Mar. 2024, |
| [3] | Md. M. Ahmed, “Government Effectiveness and Development: South Asian Perspective,” Asian Soc. Sci., vol. 18, no. 8, p. 35, Aug. 2022, |
| [4] | T. Stylianou, R. Nasir, and M. Waqas, “Inclusive Human Development and Governance Nexus: Causality Analysis of Selected Asian Countries,” Economies, vol. 11, no. 3, p. 97, Mar. 2023, |
| [5] | L. G. Banda, “Good Governance and Human Welfare Development in Malawi,” Malawi J. Soc. Sci., vol. 22, pp. 88-119, 2023. |
| [6] | A. Becherair and M. Tahtane, “THE CAUSALITY BETWEEN CORRUPTION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN MENA COUNTRIES: A PANEL DATA ANALYSIS,” J. Econ. Bus., vol. XX, no. 2, pp. 63-84, 2017. |
| [7] | D. Chaudhary, “Prospect of Good Governance and Human Development in Nepal,” Open J. Polit. Sci., vol. 10, no. 02, pp. 135-147, 2020, |
| [8] | A. Tarawalie and E. Pokawa, “Examining Government Spending and Its Impact on Economic Growth in Sierra Leone: Spotlight on Human Capital and Military Expenditure,” Int. J. Econ. Finance Manag. Sci., vol. 12, no. 6, pp. 515-525, Dec. 2024, |
| [9] | A. Arifin, R. Priyono, and G. Binardjo, “Government Budget: Good Governance and Human Capital for Poverty Alleviation in Central Java,” J. Econ. Soc. Humanit., vol. 3, no. 2, Aug. 2025, |
| [10] | M. Fayiah, “Corruption Trends and Graft Control Progress in Sierra Leone: Study of Causes and Remedies,” J. Econ. Behav. Stud., vol. 14, no. 1(J), pp. 39-49, May 2022, |
| [11] | I. A. Gbla, I. Munu, and M. Yusuf, “Local Governance and Service Delivery in Sierra Leone: Challenges Faced by Bo City Council,” Open J. Soc. Sci., vol. 12, no. 09, pp. 236-249, 2024, |
| [12] | G. O. Eze, N. Onyishi, F. C. Nnaji, A. Jalloh, K. K. Kpallu, and K. Goba, “Pattern of Psychoactive Substance Use in Sierra Leone: A Descriptive Retrospective Study,” Sierra Leone J. Med., vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 90-96, Oct. 2024, |
| [13] | S. M. Koroma, M. Yusuf, E. Dauda, and J. G. T. Gando, “The Effects of Corruption On Local Government Service Delivery In Sierra Leone: The Case of Bonthe District Council,” 2024, |
| [14] | A. B. Tarawalie and E. T. Gbondo, “EDUCATION, HEALTH AND ECONOMIC GROWTH NEXUS: NEW EVIDENCE FROM SIERRA LEONE,” Eur. J. Econ. Financ. Res., vol. 9, no. 1, Jun. 2025, |
| [15] | A. M. Emara, “The Impact of Corruption on Human Development in Egypt,” Asian Econ. Financ. Rev., vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 574-589, 2020, |
| [16] | O. N. Castillo, A. L. V. Santibáñez, and H. F. Márquez, “Effects of corruption on human development. Evidence for developed and developing countries,” Acta Oeconomica, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 507-541, Dec. 2024, |
| [17] | H. A. Pham, “The Impact of Corruption on the Human Development Index in Countries Worldwide and Policy Implications for Vietnam,” Int. J. Econ. Bus. Manag. Res., vol. 09, no. 01, pp. 253-273, 2025, |
| [18] | R. P. Pradhan, “Good governance and human development: Evidence form Indian States,” J. Soc. Dev. Sci., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-8, Feb. 2011, |
| [19] | W. Rizkallah, “Good governance and sustainable human development: Evidence from the Egyptian experience,” Egypte Contemp., vol. 113, no. 548, pp. 548-577, Oct. 2022, |
| [20] | Z. Ahmad and A. Saleem, “Impact of governance on human development,” Pak. J. Commer. Soc. Sci., vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 612-628, 2014. |
| [21] | A. Keser and Y. Gökmen, “Governance and Human Development: The Impacts of Governance Indicators on Human Development,” J. Public Adm. Gov., vol. 8, no. 1, p. 26, Jan. 2018, |
| [22] | Dr. V. O. Aninwagu and Prof. A. A. Momodu, “Effect Of Political Instability On Human Development In Nigeria,” Int. J. Res. Publ. Rev., vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 11416-11424, Jun. 2025, |
| [23] | R. M. H. Radaideh, “The Impact of Good Governance on Human Development in Jordan: A Case Study,” J. Educ. Soc. Res., vol. 12, no. 5, p. 81, Sep. 2022, |
| [24] | C. O. Omodero, “Government General Spending and Human Development: A Case Study of Nigeria,” Acad. J. Interdiscip. Stud., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 51-59, Mar. 2019, |
| [25] | S. Akinbode, J. Olabisi, R. Adegbite, T. Aderemi, and A. Alawode, “Corruption, Government Effectiveness and Human Developmentin Sub-Saharan Africa,” J. Adv. Dev. Econ., pp. 16-34, 2020, |
| [26] | D. A. S. Lantion, G. V. Musngi, and R. R. Cabauatan, “Assessing the Relationship of Human Development Index (HDI) and Government Expenditure on Health and Education in Selected ASEAN Countries,” Int. J. Soc. Manag. Stud., vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 13-26, 2023. |
| [27] | A. O. T. Wiratmoko and L. Purwanti, “IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX IN INDONESIA BY FUNCTIONS,” EUrASEANs J. Glob. Socio-Econ. Dyn., vol. 6, no. 43, pp. 191-201, Nov. 2023, |
| [28] | J. T. Ezako, “The nexus between human development, official development assistance, carbon emissions, and governance in developing countries for the realization of sustainable development goals,” Cogent Econ. Finance, vol. 12, no. 1, p. 2330452, Dec. 2024, |
| [29] | R. R. Manullang, E. Amran, H. Syofya, I. Harsono, and Awalauddin, “The Influence of Government Expenditures on the Human Development Index With Gross Domestic Product As A Moderating Variable,” Reslaj Relig. Educ. Soc. Laa Roiba J., vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 2059-2068, Mar. 2024, |
| [30] | M. Yu. Malkina and S. G. Mulaw, “The Impact of Governance Quality on Human Development: When Politics Drives the Economy (the Case of Ethiopia),” J. Institutional Stud., vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 050-066, Sep. 2025, |
| [31] | S. Wahyudi and R. Alfian, “The Impact of Corruption on the Development of the Quality of Human Life in Southeast Asia,” Bp. Int. Res. Crit. Inst.-J., vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 6640-6647, 2021. |
APA Style
Nuni, S. A. (2026). The Governance-Development Nexus in Sierra Leone: Exploring Institutional Path to Human Progress. Journal of Public Policy and Administration, 10(1), 27-37. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13
ACS Style
Nuni, S. A. The Governance-Development Nexus in Sierra Leone: Exploring Institutional Path to Human Progress. J. Public Policy Adm. 2026, 10(1), 27-37. doi: 10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13
Share This Article
Twitter
Linked In
Facebook
Copy
Download@article{10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13,
author = {Shekou Ansumana Nuni},
title = {The Governance-Development Nexus in Sierra Leone: Exploring Institutional Path to Human Progress},
journal = {Journal of Public Policy and Administration},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {27-37},
doi = {10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jppa.20261001.13},
abstract = {This study examines the long-term effects of governance indicators on human development in Sierra Leone. The analysis utilizes a 20-year dataset covering the period 2004 to 2023, allowing for an assessment of how sustained changes in governance quality have influenced human development outcomes in the country over time. Data for governance indicators were obtained from World Governance Indicators produced by the World Bank, whereas human development data were obtained from the UNICEF’s human development index. The study employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling technique. Unlike in the short-run that shows that governance indicators do not impact HDI, the results indicate that control of corruption and rule of law exert statistically significant long-term effects on human development in Sierra Leone, while the other governance indicators are statistically insignificant. Overall, these findings highlight the pivotal role of corruption control and legal integrity as foundational drivers of sustained human development in Sierra Leone. Consistent efforts to strengthen anti-corruption measures and uphold legal institutions are associated with measurable improvements in key human development dimensions, including education, health, and income. Additionally, these findings highlight the need for governance reforms that focus on enhancing political stability, improving regulatory quality, and addressing inefficiencies in government expenditure, ensuring proper financial management. The policymakers should focus on creating a situation that promotes good governance.},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - The Governance-Development Nexus in Sierra Leone: Exploring Institutional Path to Human Progress AU - Shekou Ansumana Nuni Y1 - 2026/01/19 PY - 2026 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13 DO - 10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13 T2 - Journal of Public Policy and Administration JF - Journal of Public Policy and Administration JO - Journal of Public Policy and Administration SP - 27 EP - 37 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2640-2696 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jppa.20261001.13 AB - This study examines the long-term effects of governance indicators on human development in Sierra Leone. The analysis utilizes a 20-year dataset covering the period 2004 to 2023, allowing for an assessment of how sustained changes in governance quality have influenced human development outcomes in the country over time. Data for governance indicators were obtained from World Governance Indicators produced by the World Bank, whereas human development data were obtained from the UNICEF’s human development index. The study employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling technique. Unlike in the short-run that shows that governance indicators do not impact HDI, the results indicate that control of corruption and rule of law exert statistically significant long-term effects on human development in Sierra Leone, while the other governance indicators are statistically insignificant. Overall, these findings highlight the pivotal role of corruption control and legal integrity as foundational drivers of sustained human development in Sierra Leone. Consistent efforts to strengthen anti-corruption measures and uphold legal institutions are associated with measurable improvements in key human development dimensions, including education, health, and income. Additionally, these findings highlight the need for governance reforms that focus on enhancing political stability, improving regulatory quality, and addressing inefficiencies in government expenditure, ensuring proper financial management. The policymakers should focus on creating a situation that promotes good governance. VL - 10 IS - 1 ER -
Faculty of Leadership and Governance, Institute of Public Administration and Management, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Information