Stakeholder motivations for participation in partnerships for the SDGS: the case of Nigeria

Abstract Multi-stakeholder Partnership (MSP) as a policy instrument is institutionalised in SDG 17 as a participatory mechanism which, ideally, aims to realize participation of diverse stakeholders in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the underlying 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. While there is a growing body of literature on overall success factors for MSPs, research on MSPs implementing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is lagging, particularly, when it comes to questions around participation and inclusiveness. The voluntary nature of MSPs suggest that stakeholders are motivated to participate due to overlapping interests and values. However, in the context of sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of comparable studies on stakeholder participation, particularly on the factors that motivate participation and the conditions under which stakeholders engage in MSPs within the domestic context. Therefore, this paper analyses the motivations behind stakeholder participation in MSPs within the context of SSA, using Nigeria as a case study. To achieve this, the study surveyed stakeholders who self-reported participation in 134 MSPs that were registered on the SDG Action platform and self-indicated project implementation in Nigeria. In addition, we conducted expert interviews and facilitated an expert workshop to gather further data on stakeholder motivations. The survey results are analysed using a relational values model. Based on the analysis, the study concludes with policy recommendations and suggestions for future research.