‘Rhetorics or business as usual?’ A systematic review of the realities of Australian aid localisation efforts in the Pacific region

Mark Opoku Amankwa; Clement Amponsah; Kwadwo Adusei-Asante; Vicki Frances Banham; Portia Nana Ama Brempong

doi:10.1057/s41311-025-00712-x

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‘Rhetorics or business as usual?’ A systematic review of the realities of Australian aid localisation efforts in the Pacific region

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

‘Rhetorics or business as usual?’ A systematic review of the realities of Australian aid localisation efforts in the Pacific region

Mark Opoku Amankwa, Clement Amponsah, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante, Vicki Frances Banham and Portia Nana Ama Brempong

International politics (Hague, Netherlands)

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-025-00712-x

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Abstract

Australian aid

Localisation

Locally led

Pacific Island Countries

Development

While Australia increasingly references aid localisation in its programming, implementation remains donor-driven and structurally resistant to local agency. Comprehensive reviews capturing these realities remain scarce. This study synthesises insights from 150 articles obtained from the Web of Science Database to address this gap. Findings reveal persistent donor-driven, hierarchical approaches that marginalise local voices and hinder locally led development. Skill deficits, inadequate information sharing, and underutilisation of local knowledge further undermine effectiveness. Political agendas, market-led narratives, and funding systems prioritising external contractors exacerbate dependency and power imbalances. Antithetically, meaningful local leadership and culturally tailored programs have aligned aid initiatives with community needs, ensuring greater sustainability. This paper offers the most comprehensive synthesis to date of Pacific-localised critiques of Australian aid. It exposes the systemic contradictions in donor rhetoric and practice, and advances localisation scholarship by identifying new leverage points for reform.

Details

Title: ‘Rhetorics or business as usual?’ A systematic review of the realities of Australian aid localisation efforts in the Pacific region
Authors/Creators: Mark Opoku Amankwa - Edith Cowan University
Clement Amponsah
Kwadwo Adusei-Asante - Edith Cowan University
Vicki Frances Banham - Edith Cowan University
Portia Nana Ama Brempong
Publication Details: International politics (Hague, Netherlands)
Publisher: Springer Nature
Number of pages: 24
Identifiers: 991005792772307891
Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025
Murdoch Affiliation: Indo-Pacific Research Centre
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Source: InCites

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 6 Social Sciences; 6.27 Political Science; 6.27.1609 Foreign Aid Dynamics
Web Of Science research areas: International Relations; Political Science
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general