Decentralization is an important part of democratization (Isufaj, 2014). Its philosophical roots can be traced back to the writings of Jean Jacques Rousseau, who deemed local government as a “training ground for democratic development and effective (state) performance” (Fatile & Ejalonibu, 2015). Decentralization can be regarded as a deliberate policy that acts as a means to an end, and for which, autonomy is a crucial facilitator. This implies that decentralization also pertains to efficacy and efficiency which are key facets of performance (Fleurke & Willemse, 2004). This idea aptly explains the symbiotic relationship between our two core variables—autonomy and performance—in relation to local governments.