In the rapidly evolving field of international development, emerging technologies (EmTech) hold the potential to significantly accelerate progress towards development goals. From enhancing service delivery to fostering innovation in resource-constrained environments, technology is seen as a critical enabler in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
However, as technology adoption in development increases, it is equally important to ensure that these solutions are localized and implemented responsibly, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
To explore these vital issues, the International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA)—a collaborative platform of global development agencies—launched a Community of Practice (CoP) focused on EmTech investments.
Managed by Results for Development (R4D), this CoP aims to understand how principles such as localization and responsibility can be effectively reflected in EmTech programming.
Through this initiative, the CoP seeks to develop a set of standard metrics and indicators that can capture and improve the impact of EmTech interventions in developing contexts. As part of this effort, Sydani Group was contracted by IDIA, through R4D, to serve as the Learning Partner responsible for researching, drafting, and refining these key metrics and indicators.
Action (Research Implementation & Operation):
To fulfill our role as the Learning Partner, Sydani adopted a phased approach, beginning with a comprehensive research effort that combined both desk reviews and stakeholder consultations.
We conducted thorough review of existing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks currently used within IDIA member agencies for their EmTech initiatives. These documents were sourced from agency websites, online resources, and submissions from key IDIA members.
Additionally, Sydani extended its research to examine MEL approaches from the broader development innovation ecosystem, particularly in LMICs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
In the second phase, conducted in April 2024, Sydani facilitated in-depth focus group discussions with a sample of CoP participants who were actively engaged in EmTech programming.
These discussions provided invaluable feedback on the initial research findings, allowing Sydani to refine its approach and incorporate practical insights from those directly involved in implementing EmTech solutions. The focus groups offered diverse perspectives on how to adapt existing MEL frameworks to better account for localization and responsibility in various contexts, particularly in challenging environments.
Result:
The research and consultations undertaken by Sydani resulted in the development of a first version of standardized indicators and metrics aimed at measuring and evaluating localization and responsibility in EmTech investments. This draft document not only outlined specific indicators but also provided detailed explanations of each metric, including how they should be applied within development programs.
These indicators were designed to capture both short-term outputs, such as the number of local partnerships or community involvement in technology projects, as well as long-term outcomes related to sustainability, equity, and impact on local capacity building.
The initial set of indicators represented a significant step forward in creating a standardized approach to assessing EmTech initiatives in international development, addressing both the immediate needs for effective monitoring and the broader goal of fostering responsible and localized technology adoption. The document, which received feedback during a virtual CoP workshop held in May 2024, serves as the foundation for further refinement and testing, as Sydani continues to collaborate with CoP members to finalize and scale these metrics.
