Done well, governance is almost invisible; done badly, its impacts can be disastrous. Science and scientific advice are vital, but poorly understood, assets in governance. This policy brief explores the role of science in governance for development. It concentrates on sub-Saharan Africa, drawing on the Royal Society’s programmes and networks, and highlighting recent successes and failures from the continent.
The paper argues that strengthening the mechanisms for science to feed into governance will be crucial for sustainable social and economic development, and it highlights some examples of this in practice.