Beyond institutional silos rethinking multilevel disaster risk governance in Africa a decade into the Sendai Framework implementation

This study critically examined how Priority 2 has been interpreted and operationalized in five African countries—Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—drawing on qualitative document analysis and a thematic framework derived from the Sendai Framework governance dimensions. Ten years after the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, disaster risk governance remains one of its most ambitious yet unevenly implemented priorities, particularly in African contexts. While Priority 2 articulates a comprehensive vision of inclusive, coordinated, and multisectoral governance, many African countries continue to operate without updated disaster legislation or coherent institutional frameworks.

The study found partial alignment with Sendai Framework’s aspirations, especially in legal reforms, multilevel planning, and stakeholder engagement in countries like Kenya and Namibia. However, persistent gaps remain in integrating disaster risk reduction into sectoral policies, institutionalizing participation, and ensuring transparency and accountability. The Sendai Framework’s emphasis on technocratic coordination and universal governance models often overlooks power dynamics, historical inequalities, and informal institutional realities, limiting its transformative potential. Participation is frequently symbolic rather than substantive, and risk is treated as a technical variable rather than a product of structural vulnerability. These findings underscore the need to move beyond compliance-driven governance models toward more context-sensitive, adaptive, and justice-oriented approaches. As global risk landscapes evolve, the post-2030 agenda must prioritize institutional learning, power redistribution, and inclusive decision making.