Strengthening African Supreme Audit Institutions, Phase I


Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) are crucial pillars for a strong governance system and cornerstones of sound public financial management systems. By providing targeted capacity building to SAIs, their performance will increase, benefitting citizens by curbing corruption, increasing access to services and ultimately reducing poverty.

Country/region Period Budget
Ghana
South Africa
01.07.2021 - 31.12.2024
CHF  3’000’000
Background

By carrying out their oversight function, SAIs evaluate the budget at national and subnational level, thereby contributing to improved service delivery by ensuring transparency, accountability and integrity of public institutions. By supporting the institutional and professional capacity of SAIs, the budget oversight stage, which is evidenced by several studies to be the weakest step in the budget cycle, can be strenghtened. Capacity building is provided by the Secretariat of the African organization of English-speaking SAIs (Afrosai-e), which is hosted by the SAI South Africa.

Objectives

To improve the institutional and professional capacity of SAIs to successfully fulfil their audit mandates, thereby making a difference to the lives of citizens by contributing to improved service delivery through increased transparency, accountability and integrity of public institutions. This is achieved by supporting Afrosai-e, which serves as a knowledge and exchange platform for the 26 member SAIs. The regional character of this project allows SAIs to learn from each other and share information on the best way to cope with specific challenges. In the international context, the regional initiative further allows to carry the region’s position on external audit matters to the global arena.

Medium-term outcomes

Improved professional capacity building initiatives in African States and in member SAIs

Improved audit quality

Improved skills (audit) and knowledge (HR, communication, strategic and operational management) of SAI staff

Improved SAI organizational capabilities

Improved organizational systems and processes of the Afrosai-e Secretariat

Results

Expected results:  

SAI supported with capacity building interventions in the area of professionalization

Advocacy interventions in which African Professionalization Initiative (API) participated in

Technical manuals and tools developed

SAI Independence advocated

Sustainable relationships with members, institutional partners and donors established

Staff provided with development opportunities to enrich knowledge and skills

Good governance, transparency and accountability principles and systems established


Directorate/federal office responsible SECO
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    3’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF    14’000’000
Project phases Phase 1 01.07.2021 - 31.12.2024   (Current phase)