Managerial Innovation and Local Development in Developing African Countries: The Case of Local Governments in Mali

Mahamadou Sidibe^1, , Bakary Koné¹ and Soboua Thera¹

¹University of Social Sciences and Management of Bamako (USSGB)/Mali

Cite this paper:
Mahamadou Sidibe, Bakary Koné and Soboua Thera. Managerial Innovation and Local Development in Developing African Countries: The Case of Local Governments in Mali. Journal of Business and Management Sciences. 2026; 14(5):125-132. doi: 10.12691/jbms-14-5-1

Abstract

This article first examines the forms and key success factors of local managerial innovations. It then analyzes the contribution of these innovations to the local development process in Mali. The study adopts a qualitative and exploratory approach based on a multiple case study. The results reveal that the managerial innovations implemented by the six communes of the Bamako district take various forms. They highlight several key success factors, three of which are essential in the Malian context: the political will and technical skills of managers, the availability of resources, and incentive or support measures. The results also show that, despite their diversity, these innovations contribute only modestly to the local development process, and more specifically to improving the socio-economic well-being of local communities.

Keywords:
Public innovation Managerial innovation Local development Malian local governments Post-New Public Management system New Public Management in Local Government

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