This study focuses on economic development and political turmoil in post-independence Sub-Saharan Africa. There has been a resurgence of interest in the region following the end of the Cold War. In 1997 U.S. president Bill Clinton took a 12-day tour of the region. In 1999 the U.S. Congress (106th Congress) passed the Growth and Opportunity Act and the Hope for Africa Act, designed to encourage political stability and economic development in the region. Although most Sub-Saharan African countries attained independence from colonial rule in the 1960s, more than 30 years of self-government have brought little economic development and political stability to the region. This study attempts to analyze, theoretically and empirically, the relationship among economic development, social dislocation and political turmoil. Social dislocation, as defined in this study, means "urbanization," and it is used as an exogenous variable to model and test the hypothesized causal relationship between economic development and political turmoil. This study employs pooled cross-sectional time-series and seemingly unrelated regression analyses, as well as Granger-causality, to examine the hypothesized relationships and causality in 24 Sub-Saharan African countries from 1971 to 1995. The results confirm the classical economic development theory's argument that an increase in economic development leads to a decrease in political turmoil. The result of the pooled analysis is confirmed by a SUR analysis on the strength of the relationship at the individual country level in 21 of the 24 countries. However, an indirect positive relationship exist between economic development and political turmoil through social dislocation. At lag periods 1 and 2, I found a causal ordering leading from economic development to political turmoil, indicating a causal relationship from economic development to social dislocation and from social dislocation to political turmoil.

L’objectif de cette thèse est de montrer comment une communauté musulmane d'origine turque caractérisée par la culture du secret, l’informalité et l'action sociale s’institutionnalise dans la transnationalisation. Par une étude connectant la Turquie, l'Afrique du Sud, le Sénégal et le Kenya, il s'agit de comprendre ce que l’expansion transnationale vers l’Afrique subsaharienne et les interactions qui en émergent révèlent de l’institution tout en la recomposant, dans ses mécanismes organisationnels mais aussi dans sa capacité (ou non) à produire de la croyance et à susciter de l’engagement et des loyautés chez les Turcs comme chez les Africains. / The goal of this work is to analyze the ways a Muslim group coming from Turkey, relying upon a culture of secret, informal bonds and social action, institutionnalizes itself through transnational expansion. Through a study connecting Turkey, South Africa, Senegal and Kenya, our aim is to understand how the transnational expansion towards Subsaharan Africa and the encounters it creates between Tuks and Africans both reveals and recomposes the logics of the institution.

This research examines the collective action and financial dimensions of rural waterpoint sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa. Four interlinking papers empirically evaluate the nature and drivers of financial risks, and how they in turn impact the operational performance of community water supplies. The research is grounded in conceptual and theoretical frameworks pertaining to collective action and common-pool resource management, in particular Ostrom's social-ecological systems framework (Ostrom, 2007), Musgrave & Musgrave's economic good framework (Musgrave & Musgrave, 1973), and Marwell & Oliver's critical mass theory (Marwell & Oliver, 1993). The first paper analyses data extracted from national waterpoint inventories in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. The remaining three papers draw on primary data from rural Kenya comprising 229 years' worth of water committee financial records, a census of 571 waterpoints, and a survey of 3,361 households. These data were collected during extensive field work campaigns in Kwale, Kenya. Quantitative analyses were carried out by way of advanced statistical techniques, including logistic regression, linear mixed (repeated measure) models, and generalised estimating equations. Results suggest collection of user fees is a significant determinant of waterpoint sustainability, alongside other institutional, technical, geographical and environmental variables. However, monthly payment arrangements are beset by non-payment and late payment, particularly if rainfall levels are high, group size is large, households are far away, and water is aggressive and unpalatable. Although monthly contribution levels remain relatively stable above a collective payment rate of 60%, there is little evidence of self-sustaining growth beyond this point, and revenue collection is prone to collapse below this collective payment threshold. In comparison, pay-as-you-fetch fees are associated with increased revenue and improved operational performance, but result in a higher proportion of households opting for an unimproved water source. If the Sustainable Development Goal of universal access to safe water supplies is to be achieved in rural sub-Saharan Africa, strategies are needed to strengthen revenue collection systems and bolster payment incentives. External support and professionalised service delivery models present potential pathways to advance these goals. Policymakers may also need to introduce carefully designed subsidies, or promote self-supply approaches that realign lifecycle costs with users' willingness-to-pay.

Depuis plusieurs décennies, le VIH/SIDA a fait son apparition dans le monde et a causé de nombreux décès. En Afrique subsaharienne, les premiers cas sont survenus dans un contexte particulièrement difficile où la riposte ne s’est mise en place que très tardivement. En dépit des efforts consentis, les données sur la pandémie ne sont toujours pas satisfaisantes en Afrique subsaharienne. Cependant, le Bénin, notre terrain d’étude, est l’un des pays de l’Afrique subsaharienne où le taux de prévalence reste assez faible. Le présent travail, après avoir dressé un tableau descriptif de la pandémie VIH/SIDA en Afrique subsaharienne, décrit de manière approfondie les stratégies de communication utilisées pour les campagnes de prévention de la maladie. Parmi les stratégies qui ont été mises en œuvre pour faire face à la pandémie, la communication a occupé une place de choix. Elle s’est inspirée des théories du changement de comportement. Ces stratégies ont permis de promouvoir essentiellement les comportements jugés sains pour les populations, sans induire un réel changement de comportement. Enfin, la partie appliquée de notre travail consiste en une étude de terrain approfondie par questionnaires, entretiens et discussions de groupe. Cette enquête porte sur un échantillon que l’on peut considérer comme représentatif de la population du Bénin se montant à 320 personnes. Au-delà de ce que dit la littérature à propos du lien entre la connaissance de l’existence d’un risque et le changement de comportement, notre population d’étude nous enseigne que la diffusion de messages n’entraîne pas automatiquement l’acquisition et l’adoption de comportements considérés comme sains. / Since several decades, HIV/AIDS has appeared worldwide and has caused a number of deaths. In sub-Saharan Africa, the first cases arose in a particularly difficult context, and the response was organized only very late. Despite efforts granted, data on the pandemic are not yet satisfactory in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Benin, our ground of study, is one of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa where the prevalence rate remains rather low.The present work, after providing a picture of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, then gives an in-depth description of communication strategies used for the prevention campaigns of the disease.Among the strategies which were implemented to deal with the pandemic, communication deserves a special place. Generally speaking, communication actions in this area draw on behavioural change theories. These communications strategies essentially aim at to promoting behaviours considered healthy for the populations, but without leading to real changes in behaviour. Finally, the applied part of our work consists in an original in-depth field survey that rests on individual questionnaires, individual interviews, and group discussions. This survey is concerned with a sample which can be considered as representative of the population of Benin amounting to 320 people. Beyond what the literature says about the link between the knowledge of risks and changes in behaviour, the study population of our survey tells us that issuing messages does automatically lead to acquisition and adoption of behaviours that can be considered healthy.

Introduction. Des traitements efficaces permettent la prise en charge des personnes vivant avec le VIH (PVVIH) et la prévention. Cependant, seulement 55% des PVVIH connaissent leur statut et ce taux est encore plus faible pour les pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre (35%). Afin d’accroître l’offre de Conseil et Test pour le VIH (CTV), l’OMS a publié en juillet 2015 un guide consolidé basé sur des études, dont certaines ont été réalisées en Afrique Subsaharienne. Et très peu d’entre elles concernent les pays à faible prévalence du VIH, notamment l’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone. Cette thèse a pour objectif général d’analyser les enjeux et les limites des politiques et programmes de CTV dans les pays africains de basse prévalence VIH, à partir de la situation du Burkina Faso, et de proposer de nouvelles mesures pour développer l’offre de CTV.Méthodes. Deux études ont été conduites. La première portait sur les motivations et les obstacles à la pratique du test VIH. Elle a été menée dans le cadre du projet « Multi-country African Testing and Counselling for HIV » (MATCH) portant sur quatre pays (Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Ouganda). Au Burkina Faso, l’étude a été conduite en 2008-2009 en milieu urbain (Ouagadougou) et rural (Dédougou) dans des sites sélectionnés selon leur niveau de fréquentation. Des approches quantitatives et qualitatives ont été utilisées.La deuxième étude a été conduite en 2015 auprès des acteurs et des décideurs du CTV au niveau national, et visait à analyser leurs perceptions des directives publiées par l’OMS en 2015. Un outil de collecte des données expliquant les changements a diffusé par voie électronique. Les réponses ont été analysées de manière quantitative et qualitative.Résultats. L’offre du CTV est basée au Burkina Faso sur des documents validés en 2008.L’analyse de l’utilisation du test à l’initiative du client a montré que les femmes étaient les plus nombreuses (58,5%). Cependant les hommes (p=0,02), les 18-34 ans (p=0,01), et les plus scolarisés (p=0,001) semblaient utiliser plus précocement les services.. En analyse multivariée, ces catégories utilisaient plus les campagnes. Les signes ou symptômes liés au VIH motivaient le test chez les femmes (p=0,008), les 35 ans et plus (p<0,001) et les non scolarisés (p<0,001) qui sollicitaient plus le test en sites fixes. L’utilisation du CTV pendant la campagne était associée au désir de connaître le statut (p<0,001), tandis qu’en dehors des campagnes, l'état de santé de l’utilisateur, la maladie ou le décès du partenaire était le principal motif (p=0,001). Aussi 61% des utilisateurs avaient réalisé 2 tests et plus. Dans une analyse multivariée, l’utilisation répétée du CTV par les personnes séronégatives était associée à la scolarisation (au moins le secondaire), au jeune âge et pour les PVVIH à la résidence en milieu urbain.Les prestataires déclaraient être confrontés à des difficultés logistiques et matérielles pour offrir adéquatement le CTV. Il en résultait une faible qualité des services, notamment un conseil post test dispensé partiellement, et une faible référence des PVVIH. Celles-ci avaient un vécu de stigmatisation élevé, soit 46% de stigmatisation interne, 40% dans les relations interpersonnelles et 11% dans les services de santé. Les décideurs et acteurs ont trouvé la plupart des directives de 2015 pertinentes, mais sont pessimistes sur leur faisabilité.Conclusion. Ce travail a identifié les limites du CTV au Burkina Faso et donne des éléments significatifs pour les pays africains de basse prévalence. Dans un contexte de raréfaction des ressources, l’accès équitable au CTV nécessite l’identification de stratégies innovantes. Le renforcement des capacités des prestataires pour une offre globale de services de qualité est nécessaire. La lutte contre la stigmatisation devrait être intensifiée. La prise en compte des avis des experts permettra la révision des documents nationaux et leur adaptation selon les directives OMS. / Background. Treatments are effective for people living with HIVAIDS (PLWHA) care and prevention. However, only 55% of PLWHA are aware of their status. This rate is lower in Central and West Africa (35%). In July 2015, WHO published new guidelines on HIV testing. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are many studies which results are used to define policies and guidelines on HIV testing at the international level. Few of them are implemented in low HIV prevalence countries, notably French-Speaking West Africa. The overall objective of this thesis is to analyze the challenges and limitations of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) policies and programs in low prevalence countries, over the situation in Burkina Faso and propose new measures to increase the access to HTC services.Methods. Two studies have been conducted. The first one was carried out in the « Multi-country African Testing and Counselling for HIV » (MATCH) project which was implemented in four countries (Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda). It aimed to analyze the motivations and barriers to HTC services practices by users, non-users and providers. In Burkina Faso, the study was carried out in Urban (Ouagadougou) and rural (Dédougou) areas in 2008-2009. In each locality, study sites (client initiated testing and provider initiated testing sites) were chosen, given the level of utilization. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The second study was conducted in 2015, with HTC providers and decision makers at national level. The objective was to analyze their perceptions on WHO 2015 guidelines. A data collection tool explaining the changes introduced in the guidelines has been designed and transmitted via electronic means. Their opinions were analyzed.Results. Guidelines for HTC in Burkina Faso were from 2008. In client initiated testing sites, there were more women (58.5%). However, men (p=0.02), 18-34 years old (p=0.01), and the more educated ones (p=0.001) appeared to have used early services. In multivariate analysis, those categories used often campaigns. Women (p=0.008), 35 years of age and over (p<0.001) and less educated people (p<0.001) sought more often the test in fixed sites. The use of HTC services during campaigns is associated with the desire to know one's HIV status (p<0.01), while outside of campaigns, the health status of the user, the illness or the partner's death was the main concern (p=0.001). Campaigns are associated with the hope of knowing one’s HIV status (p<0.001). There were 61% of users who were repeat testers (2 or more tests). In a multivariate analysis, repeat testing for HIV negative people was associated with higher education, young age and for PLWHA living in urban areas. HTC Providers declared that they faced logistic and material challenges. It resulted in a low quality of services, in particular post-test counselling sessions that were partially done and a low effective reference of PLWHA towards care services. HIV stigma was found to be very high (46% of PLWHA faced internal stigma, 40% of interpersonal stigma, and 11% in health services). Decision-makers and providers have found most of the 2015 guidelines relevant, but were pessimist about their feasibility.Conclusion. This work has identified limitations of HTC at the individual, community, health services and institutional levels in Burkina Faso, and provides significant elements for African low prevalence countries. Given the scarcity of resources, there is a need for innovative strategies for equitable access to HTC, in order to attract more men, and test earlier women, less educated and 34 years or older. Strengthening the capacity of service providers to include a comprehensive range of quality services is necessary. All the aforementioned should be supplemented by the fight against stigma. Paying attention to national HTC experts’ opinion will help for national guidelines review and adapt them to WHO guidelines.

Esta tese de doutorado explora uma faceta ainda obscura nos estudos sobre a democracia e a participação, que consiste na difusão internacional de ideias e tecnologias de governança participativa. As pesquisas recentes sobre este tema têm insistido na influência de atores diversos para explicar o fenômeno da difusão, atribuindo ênfase especial às Organizações Internacionais. A indicação de modelos específicos da parte de tais instituições é frequente, como no caso do Orçamento Participativo (OP), que hoje conta com mais de 2800 experiências ao redor do globo. No entanto, seriam suficientes as orientações de instituições internacionais para explicar a difusão de ideias e tecnologias de governança participativa? Situada entre a análise de políticas públicas e o estudo das relações internacionais, a proposta da pesquisa de doutorado foi de examinar o processo de difusão do OP, por meio de metodologia qualitativa, combinando entrevistas em profundidade, observação participante e análise de documentos. O estudo foi desenvolvido a partir da análise de um caso de origem, Porto Alegre, e diversos casos de transferência na África Subsaariana e na América Latina. Os resultados de pesquisa apontam para a existência de um fluxo global, movimentos de difusão regional, como na região dos Andes, e movimentos pontuais de transferência, em que o OP se desloca de uma instituição à outra, como de Porto Alegre, no Brasil, para o município de Cotacachi, no Equador, ou ainda para Maputo, no Moçambique. Foi possível constatar que a ação de um conjunto de indivíduos foi fundamental para inserir o OP na agenda internacional, bem como para auxiliar nos processos de transferência no exterior. Uma vez que o OP se legitima no plano externo, as Organizações Internacionais passam a fazer mais diferença, pois financiam experiências, organizam oficínas de capacitação de quadros e produzem manuais de implementação. A técnica utilizada para realizar este estudo foi a do rastreamento do processo, que procura identificar as cadeias de mecanismos causais que afetam um determinado fenômeno. A dimensão empírica da pesquisa foi composta por fontes primárias. Para este estudo foram feitas mais de 120 entrevistas em profundidade em nove países (África do Sul, Brasil, Equador, Espanha, Estados Unidos da América, França, Moçambique, Peru, Senegal). Além disso, foi realizada observação participante em eventos internacionais e também foram coletados materiais in loco, como documentos oficiais, artigos da imprensa e arquivos multimídia. / This thesis explores an obscure facet in studies about democracy and participation, namely the international diffusion of ideas and technologies on participatory governance. Recent researches on the topic highlight the influence of various actors to explain the diffusion phenomenon, drawing particular attention to international organizations. These institutions often recommend the use of specific models, as in the case of the Participatory Budgeting (PB), which currently accounts over 2800 experiences worldwide. Nonetheless, do recommendations from international institutions suffice to explain the transfer of ideas and technologies on participatory governance? Situated between public policy analysis and the study of international relations, this doctoral research seeks to examine the transfer of Participatory Budgeting through a qualitative methodology, combining in-depth interviews, participant observation and document analysis. This research is based on the analysis of the key case of Porto Alegre and several cases of transfer in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Research findings indicate there is a global flow, a regional diffusion, as in the Andes, and also isolated transfers, in which PB streams from one institution to another, as exemplified on the transfer from Porto Alegre, Brazil, to the municipality of Cotacachi, Ecuador, or to Maputo in Mozambique. It was found that the actions of a group of individuals were crucial to make PB part of the international agenda. These actors have also assisted to promote transfers abroad. Once Participatory Budgeting becomes legitimate abroad, international organizations play a bigger role since they finance these experiences, organize training workshops for staff and develop implementation manuals. The technique used to conduct this study was the process-tracing, which seeks to identify chains of causal mechanisms that affect a particular phenomenon. The empirical dimension of this research is composed of primary sources. For this study, over 120 in-depth interviews in nine countries (South Africa, Brazil, Ecuador, Spain, United States, France, Mozambique, Peru, Senegal) were made. Furthermore, there were participant observations in international events and the collection of materials on-site, such as official documents, press articles and multimedia files.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Bank (WB) state that worldwide access to sanitation has improved with countries in the north having 100% access to sanitation. However, only 64% of the world's population has access to improved sanitation. Sub-Saharan Africa has a noticeable improvement with South Africa improving from 73% in 2010 to 74% in 2014. They further estimate that $260 billion is lost globally each year due to lack of adequate water supply and sanitation. Universal access to water and sanitation would result in an estimated $32 billion in economic benefits per year globally from reductions in health care costs and increased productivity from reduced illness. Sub-Saharan Africa loses an estimated 4.3% ($US694 billion) of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year due to lack of adequate water supply and sanitation. Furthermore, the UNDP (2015) indicates that sanitation is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), however many regions are performing poorly in attaining their declared sanitation targets. South African has not reached its target but it is maintaining its commitment to the provision of sanitation as a basic human right. However, it has left the responsibility to local government to work out how this should be done with no legislation. Currently there is no policy on sanitation and municipalities only develop by-laws that serve as guidelines in managing waste and providing the service. The available literature on this subject speaks very little about the knowledge and understanding that the communities have with regard to faecal sludge management and no study at all deals with the perceptions of people on this issue, particularly around Polokwane Municipality. It is for these reasons that the study was aimed at investigating the perceptions of Polokwane residents regarding alternative faecal sludge management. Methodologically the study used qualitative research approach where in face-to-face interviews and focus group interviews were conducted around Polokwane Municipality. Among the participants interviewed were Ward Councillors, Community Development Workers, Ward Committees and Traditional Authorities. These stakeholders were intentionally chosen as they are at the coalface of service delivery on a daily basis and they are part of the forums that interact with the Municipality on basic services and other related community matters. Data for this study were analysed using thematic data analysis approach. vi  The findings of this study suggest that the “concerned residents” under Polokwane Municipality see themselves being victims and vulnerable to controllable health threats. In addition, the study discovered that the majority of participants were aware of the delegated sewage maintenance duties on the Polokwane Municipality. This study findings further indicated that there is a growing concern among municipal authorities and communities‟ especially in Africa and South Africa in particular, to improve the inadequate faecal management. The objectives of the study were among others to determine the perceptions and awareness of the Polokwane Local Municipality residents regarding alternative faecal sludge management methods. Indeed, it has been discovered that some of the residents are aware of various management methods but expect authority to develop policies and improve the inadequate methods that are currently used in managing faecal sludge. The study among others discovered that this study should be used as a point of reference for municipal projects administration, i.e. for the development of Integrated Development Plan (IDP) on the water and sanitation and faecal sludge management in future. The Ministry of environmental health and management at Polokwane Local Municipality should organise solid and integrated awareness with the community to ensure a healthy environment for all. The study further realised that there is a need to equip most of residents in Polokwane Local Municipality with knowledge on how best man can improve environmental health, as well as how worse can a person destroy the environment. It should be an important task for the Polokwane Local Municipality to ensure that residents understand the faecal sludge management enterprise developments in the area to reduce the incompleteness of the perceptions among the residents. Various faecal sludge methods should be adopted and encouraged among the Polokwane Local Municipality residents in order to promote the preference for the sanitation methods. Key words: Sanitation, Faecal sludge, Faeces, Health hazards and Sub-Saharan Africa

Access to safe water supply--a major determinant of public health--is less than 50% in Madagascar, and access to piped, treated water remains out of reach financially for many in the urban and peri-urban areas where available. The Self-supply option of the Pitcher Pump has been meeting the need for household water in coastal areas of Madagascar since the early 1960s and has proven a sustainable option for many. These pumps make use of leaded components in the construction, however, which may pose a health risk for heavy metal intoxication and therefore cause the water to be unsafe for drinking and cooking. This study assesses the potential for lead (Pb) leaching from Pitcher Pump systems into water at levels of health concern. The objectives of this study are to assess Pb concentrations in water drawn from Pitcher Pumps, to determine the relationship between various factors and the Pb levels, to make a preliminary assessment of public health implications of Pb contamination, and to offer informed recommendations to reduce the likelihood of consuming contaminated water. A field study was undertaken to measure concentrations of dissolved Pb in water from Pitcher Pumps under recently flushed and first-draw pumping conditions at 18 households in the city of Tamatave, Madagascar. Variables potentially affecting Pb leaching were determined including pump age, depth to the well screen, pump manufacturer, season of sample collection, and basic water quality indicators. Sampling campaigns were conducted three times over the course of eight months. Time-release case studies were also carried out at two households to determine the time scale over which the Pb concentration in stationary water reaches equilibrium with the Pb-containing system components. Pilot studies of iron (Fe)-for-Pb substitution of select pump system components were carried out at the same two households to attribute the major contribution of Pb leaching to one set of parts and to assess one strategy for decreasing dissolved Pb concentrations. Finally, the Internal Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model for Lead in Children (IEUBK Model) of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was employed to estimate realistic blood lead levels (BLLs) in children under five years of age, based on Pb concentrations measured in the water. Of the 18 pumps sampled, 15 produced at least one sample exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) provisional guideline of 10 [um]g/L dissolved Pb in water. Specifically, 67% of all samples showed concentrations above 10 [um]g/L under first-draw pumping conditions. Flushing the pumps prior to use decreased the Pb levels significantly (p < 0.0001), with only 35% of samples exceeding the provisional guideline. Under flushed conditions, the median Pb concentration in pumped water was 9 [um]g/L, down from 13 [um]g/L at one hour of inactivity. No statistically significant correlations were observed between measured Pb concentrations and factors like the season of sample collection, pump age, manufacturer, or water quality indicators like pH or temperature. Under first-draw conditions, the concentration of Pb in water increased with increasing duration of pump inactivity, until equilibrium was reached with the leaded pump components. For two pumps, substitution of Fe valves for Pb greatly decreased Pb concentrations in the water, from 37-100 [um]g/L and 7-24 [um]g/L down to 3-4 [um]g/L and 2-8 [um]g/L, respectively. Model-predicted geometric mean BLLs in children range from about 2-8 [um]g/dL, in some instances exceeding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline for an elevated BLL (5 [um]g/dL), depending on the exposure concentrations. This study finds that water provided by Pitcher Pump systems in Madagascar frequently exceeds the WHO provisional guideline value for safe consumption under first-draw conditions, and may do so even after flushing the pumps. The Pb concentrations measured in the field have the potential to elevate BLLs in children under five to levels implicated in serious health issues. Leaching of Pb into the water is therefore an issue of concern for users of the Pitcher Pump systems in Tamatave, and likely for other areas served by this technology. Flushing the pumps before water collection generally reduces Pb levels in the water. These results suggest that most of the Pb leaches from pure Pb check valve weights at the mouth of the pump, and consequently, a substitution of Fe weights on the valves greatly reduces Pb concentrations and the probability for exceeding the WHO provisional guideline. Relatively simple operational changes on the part of the pump manufacturers and the pump users might, therefore, help to ensure the continued sustainability of Pitcher Pumps in eastern Madagascar.

Despite the financing gap in the sub-Saharan Africa power sector, private investors struggle to capitalize on the opportunity because of the high failure rate of power project development companies. Using the conceptual framework of the behavioral finance theory, this multiple case study was conducted to explore the strategies used by executives of 4 companies in sub-Saharan Africa who successfully developed power projects within the last 5 years. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and a review of government and institutions' websites. Yin's 5-phased cycle for analyzing case studies provided the guidelines for data analysis. Three themes emerged from data analysis: market knowledge, stakeholder alignment, and commercial viability. Findings revealed strategies that current and aspiring power project development company executives may use as a guide to mitigate business failure risks. Implications of these findings for positive social change include the potential to increase the power generation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa and provide electricity to many of the 620 million Africans who currently lack access. Implications also include poverty alleviation and economic growth through creation of successful power project development companies.

Nigerian entrepreneurs face government barriers and lack the skills and awareness needed for successfully creating and scaling public value in resource-constrained environments. The concept of bricolage, which involves doing business by making do with resources at hand, has been addressed in the literature, but not as it occurs among Nigerian entrepreneurs. This study was conducted with the aim of narrowing this gap in knowledge by exploring how Nigerian entrepreneurs have successfully carried out their businesses. The research question addressed how Nigerian entrepreneurs overcame critical situations to successfully address the challenges of scaling and creating public value, and whether the theory of entrepreneurial bricolage can support their actions. A qualitative descriptive single case study with a purposeful sample of 22 interview respondents was employed. A total of 145 critical incidents were analyzed by fitting them into themes constructed a priori from the known behavioral patterns that emerged through the theoretical taxonomy of the concept of entrepreneurial bricolage. The results showed that Nigerian entrepreneurs made do with the resources at hand, improvised, and invoked stakeholder participation and persuasion to solve critical challenges of business continuity. The outcome of the research should help potential entrepreneurs determine strategies to scale their ideas or innovations to achieve positive social change. The results may be useful to any fledgling entrepreneur who needs encouragement when feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of doing business in Nigeria. Budding entrepreneurs can learn from the experiences of those who are deemed successful in their businesses, thereby avoiding challenges when they can and strategizing for those challenges that are unavoidable.