Monitoring and evaluation as a governance instrument in the im-plementation of forest–environment projects in Cameroon

In a context of increasing accountability requirements, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has become a key lever for enhancing the performance of development projects. This study exam-ines the effectiveness of M&E mechanisms in forest–environment projects in Cameroon, using an empirical approach based on a sample of 50 organizations. Drawing on a mixed-methods methodology combining descriptive analysis and linear regression, the findings reveal a strong convergence in donors’ methodological frameworks, alongside a significant gap between for-mal systems and actual practices. The analysis shows that the institutional integration of M&E is the primary determinant of project performance, while standalone evaluations have a limited effect. Furthermore, digitalization acts as a complementary lever, whose effectiveness depends on its alignment with organizational systems. These findings contribute to a better understand-ing of the theoretical and empirical determinants of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in Afri-can contexts and provide managerial implications for improving existing systems.

在问责要求日益提升的背景下，监测与评估（Monitoring and Evaluation，M&E）已成为提升发展项目绩效的核心抓手。本研究以喀麦隆的50家机构为样本开展实证研究，探讨该国森林环境项目中监测与评估机制的实施成效。本研究采用结合描述性分析与线性回归的混合研究方法，结果显示：捐赠方的方法论框架存在高度趋同性，而正式制度与实际操作之间存在显著差距。分析表明，监测与评估的制度整合是项目绩效的核心决定因素，而独立开展的评估效果则较为有限。此外，数字化可作为补充抓手，其实施成效取决于与组织体系的适配程度。本研究结果有助于深化对非洲语境下监测与评估的理论及实证决定因素的理解，并为优化现有体系提供管理层面的启示。