How is public development assistance perceived in Africa?

Against a global backdrop of growing demands for transparency and effectiveness in development policy, AFD is leading a series of surveys to better understand public perceptions, adapt its actions, and strengthen their impact. Following an initial survey conducted in autumn 2024 in four African countries – Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Senegal – a new study carried out in the first quarter of 2026 provides deeper insight into perceptions in three additional countries: South Africa, Benin, and Morocco. A total of 3,070 people were surveyed across six capital cities and secondary cities.

A solid foundation of trust

Two-thirds of respondents are familiar with public development assistance, which enjoys a broadly positive image across the three countries surveyed – at levels comparable to those observed in France, Europe, and G7 countries: 67% in Benin, 69% in Morocco, and 79% in South Africa.

Expectations regarding the form this assistance should take vary depending on national contexts. In South Africa, respondents prioritize technical support and skills transfer (42%). In Benin and Morocco, grants and concessional loans remain key financial instruments aligned with locally expressed needs.

Respondents also strongly support the integration of culture and sports into development policy: 75% of those surveyed in Morocco view this positively, rising to 94% in Benin and South Africa.

Is development assistance effective?

While perceptions of development assistance are generally positive, opinions remain divided on its ability to deliver visible and lasting results.

Across all three countries, a significant share of respondents emphasized the importance of reaching the most vulnerable populations and making results more tangible in daily life. Corruption and poor management of funds were identified as the main risks.

“This skepticism reflects a gap in evaluation frameworks. Populations tend to assess effectiveness through immediate and tangible indicators – employment, access to services, infrastructure, and living conditions – whereas development actors often rely on analytical frameworks centered on measurement, indicators, and procedural compliance,” said Patrick Belinga Ondoua, a researcher at the Center for International Studies (CERI) at Sciences Po Paris.

To address these concerns, respondents called for greater transparency and stronger involvement of local communities in project planning and implementation. In other words, they want more listening and dialogue to help rebuild trust with stakeholders. This approach is central to the way AFD deploys its financing and operations.

AFD seen as a trusted partner

France is widely perceived as a major partner in Benin and Morocco, though less so in South Africa. AFD itself remains relatively little known in Francophone Africa, where it is often overshadowed by French embassies: fewer than one-quarter of respondents in Benin and Morocco said they were familiar with the agency. By contrast, awareness levels are strikingly high in South Africa.

“This situation highlights a persistent disconnect between global development architectures and the way they are experienced in local contexts,” Patrick Belinga Ondoua noted.

As in France, AFD enjoys a very positive image among those who know it, with more than 70% expressing favorable opinions. Respondents notably view AFD as a trustworthy organization that listens to its stakeholders, communicates transparently about its actions, respects the environment, develops innovative initiatives to support African countries, promotes a fairer world, and contributes both to local development and to France’s engagement in Africa.