Methodological Evaluation and Adoption Rate Analysis of Municipal Infrastructure Asset Systems in Senegal: A Difference-in-Differences Approach

"background": "Municipalities in many developing nations face significant challenges in managing infrastructure assets effectively. The adoption of formal asset management systems (AMS) is posited as a critical solution, yet rigorous quantitative evidence on their uptake and impact remains scarce. ", "purpose and objectives": "This study aims to methodologically evaluate the implementation of municipal infrastructure AMS and to quantify their adoption rates across Senegalese municipalities. The objective is to provide empirical evidence on the causal effect of a national capacity-building programme on AMS uptake. ", "methodology": "A quasi-experimental difference-in-differences (DiD) model was employed, using panel data from municipal surveys. The core estimation equation is Y{it = \0 + \1 (\) + \ + \ +, where Y₈ₓ is the AMS adoption status. Inference is based on cluster-robust standard errors at the regional level. ", "findings": "Municipalities exposed to the capacity-building programme showed a statistically significant increase in AMS adoption. The average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) was an 18-percentage-point increase in the likelihood of full system adoption (95% CI: 11 to 25). The effect was more pronounced in urban communes. ", "conclusion": "The national programme had a substantial positive causal effect on the adoption of structured asset management systems. This demonstrates the efficacy of targeted technical support in improving municipal engineering governance. ", "recommendations": "Policy should prioritise sustained technical assistance and funding for AMS implementation, with tailored support for rural municipalities. Future programmes should incorporate the DiD framework for robust monitoring and evaluation. ", "key words": "asset management, infrastructure, difference-in-differences, municipal engineering, adoption rate, Senegal", "contribution statement": "This paper provides the first application of a quasi-experimental DiD design to evaluate the uptake of