The aim of a well-designed decentralization program is to deliver effective services to all citizens and to deepen democracy through active popular participation in local governance. Through detailed case studies of decentralization policies in five sub-Saharan African countries Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania this book examines the challenges presented, lessons learned, and recommends ways to improve policy implementation. It is clear from the analysis that there is no one size fits all design of decentralization policy. Policy-makers worldwide can use the lessons learned and good practices presented here to better inform and advance their own decentralization agenda."