Sport for development – a systematic map of evidence from Africa

This article presents a systematic map of the evidence on sport-for-development's effectiveness in Africa. Applying systematic review methodology, it identifies all rigorous evidence that evaluates African sport-for-development interventions. These impact evaluations are then mapped to provide a systematic and comprehensive examination of sport-for-development's evidence-base. This contributes the first systematic engagement with sport-for-development's evidence-base in Africa and the systematic map finds that there is currently no available evidence that supports or refutes the assumption that sport can positively influence development outcomes. It cautions against the continued rhetoric and promotion of sport-for-development as an effective approach to poverty reduction and international development.