Public Economics

DNA Economics combines technical and methodological rigour with extensive public sector experience to deliver fit‑for‑purpose policy solutions.

A well-functioning state is key to delivering effective and inclusive services. This is especially true in Africa’s public policy landscape, where the public sector faces many challenges. DNA Economics’ Public Economics team helps government departments, non-profits and donors analyze and review policies and plans to address these issues.

Although we have worked across most sectors, the team has particular expertise in the health, education, skills and social protection and development sectors. Further thematic areas of focus include alternative payment mechanisms and digital public infrastructure, fiscal sustainability and innovative infrastructure financing modalities.

Services

Macroeconomic analysis and forecasting
Labour market and strategic skills analysis
Fiscal policy analysis
Performance and expenditure reviews
Design and costing of implementation strategies
Applied policy analysis, including cost-benefit analysis and cost of inaction
Design of results-based financing instruments
Budgetary, financing and governance reform
Data quality assessments

Selected projects from our work in this area

The development of a fiscal forecasting and planning model for a provincial government in South Africa.
Multiple projects focusing on the costing of programmes for donor agencies, non‑profit organisations and national governments across Southern Africa.
The development and implementation of a training module on costing, provided to policymakers through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Assessing the extent to which South Africa’s national budget is aligned to the priorities set out by the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), undertaken for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME).
Labour market and sector assessments in 8 African countries for an international donor.
The development of a methodology to identify a list of occupations in high demand at the national and provincial levels in South Africa.