SAIs Leaders in Francophone Africa reflect on promoting excellence in public finance management through strategic foresight

After successfully launching the Mastery Initiative for SAI Leaders in English-speaking regions of INTOSAI over the past two years, IDI has expanded its reach to the French-speaking world with its platform dedicated to sharing knowledge and experiences between heads of SAIs. This was showcased during the Masterclass on Public Financial Management and Strategic Foresight for francophone African heads of SAIs, held from June 26-28 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. 

The event counted with esteemed guests, including Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Minister of Finance and Budget, Mr. Adama Coulibaly. Both emphasized the importance of robust collaboration between SAIs and their various stakeholders in addressing today’s public financial management challenges, particularly the government and other actors such as parliament and civil society. 

The event was attended by heads of SAIs from Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Chad, and the UEMOA Court of Auditors.  

Discussions revolved around PFM and strategic foresight, focusing on the role of SAIs in regional PFM reforms. The Masterclass also featured engaging conversations with heads of SAIs seizing opportunities and addressing challenges in Public Finance Management related to global trends like the digital transformation of the public sector, fiscal risk management, climate-sensitive PFM, demographic shifts, and managing global crises.  

IDI Senior Managers Alain Memvuh and Eduardo Ruiz Garcia facilitated the event, supported by expert panellists from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Investment Bank, and the French Directorate General of Public Finance. 

Translation in French

Les dirigeants des ISC d’Afrique francophone réfléchissent à la promotion de l’excellence dans la gestion des finances publiques à travers la prospective stratégique.

Après avoir lancé avec succès l’Initiative de Mastery pour les dirigeants des ISC dans les régions anglophones de l’INTOSAI au cours des deux dernières années, l’IDI étend son dialogue avec le monde francophone grâce à sa plateforme dédiée au partage de connaissances et d’expériences entre dirigeants d’ISC. Cela a été démontré lors de la Masterclass sur la gestion des finances publiques et la prospective stratégique destinée aux dirigeants des ISC d’Afrique francophone, qui s’est tenue du 26 au 28 juin à Abidjan, en Côte d’Ivoire. 

L’événement a été honoré par des invités de marque, dont M. Robert Beugré Mambé, Premier Ministre de Côte d’Ivoire, et le Ministre des Finances et du Budget, M. Adama Coulibaly. Tous deux ont souligné l’importance d’une collaboration solide entre les ISC et leurs différentes parties prenantes, en particulier le gouvernement mais également d’autres acteurs tels que le parlement et la société civile, pour relever les défis actuels de la gestion des finances publiques. 

Les présidents des ISC du Bénin, du Burkina Faso, du Burundi, du Cameroun, des Comores, de la Côte d’Ivoire, de la Guinée-Bissau, de la République démocratique du Congo, du Sénégal, du Tchad et de la Cour des comptes de l’UEMOA ont participé à l’événement. 

Les discussions ont tourné autour de la GFP et de la prospective stratégique, en se concentrant sur le rôle des ISC dans les réformes régionales de la GFP. La Masterclass a également comporté des conversations engageantes sur les approches par lesquelles les  dirigeants des ISC peuvent saisir les opportunités et relever les défis de la gestion des finances publiques en ce qui concerne les tendances mondiales telles que la transformation numérique, la gestion des risques budgétaires, la GFP sensible au climat, la transformation numérique du secteur public, les changements démographiques et la gestion des crises mondiales. 

Les Managers Seniors de l’IDI, Alain Memvuh et Eduardo Ruiz Garcia, ont animé l’événement, soutenus par des experts de la Banque mondiale, de la Banque africaine de développement, du Fonds monétaire international, de la Banque européenne d’investissement et de la Direction générale française des finances publiques. 

The first ever PASAI (Pacific Supreme Audit Institutions) Women Symposium took place from 13-15 February 2024, in Apia, Samoa. In an extraordinary example of female empowerment in public auditing, the three-day event was attended by around 80 established and emerging leaders from PASAI and the Samoan public sector, including integrity agencies, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), regional and development partners, and the media.

Among the women present were two graduates of IDI’s SAI Young Leaders (SYL) programme. Oceanbaby Penitito, from SAI Samoa, was not only a participant in the inaugural Symposium, but was also a member of the first cohort of SYLs who immersed themselves in the programme from 2017-2018. Maritina Iloi Cirikisuva from SAI Fiji was one of the only candidates from the Pacific SAIs to participate and graduate from the third round of SYL in 2022 – 2023. Here, both SYLs discuss how their SYL experience contributed to their proud presence at the PASAI Women’s Symposium.

Ocean

As I reflect on my journey as a SAI Young Leader, I would like to re-emphasise these words: “Leadership is a journey, not a destination”.

I was in middle management when I applied for the SAI Young Leaders Programme, 2017-2018. I saw myself as a bridge, assisting senior management strategically, supporting our junior staff operationally, and relaying the message from top to bottom and bottom to top in a manner that would improve the SAI as a whole.

In this position, I realised that I needed to discover more about myself – and that is exactly what the SYL programme did, providing a stepping-stone to assist me with self-discovery to support my growth to where I am now.

The support and ‘exposure’ of SYL were also important. Having the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) as my mentor for the SYL programme gave me a great opportunity to be involved in the bigger picture of our SAI. It enabled me to build synergistic relationships in pushing for my SYL change strategy to succeed, and to shape my career development plan going forward. The exposure also expanded my network with other auditors in the SYL programme globally, as well as CAGs within PASAI.

As I reflected on SYL, I realised that it’s not the end point that matters, but the journey – and, most definitely, the learning. I was the first person from SAI Samoa to complete the SYL programme. I was involved in the first SDGs Audit on Preparedness. The SDGs Preparedness Report was our first stand-alone report to Parliament. These are significant milestones, for me personally and for the SAI.

And PASAI’s first ever Women’s Leadership Symposium in Samoa is another such milestone. As a presenter as well as a participant, I was deeply honoured and privileged to speak on behalf of the Controller and Auditor General, who was and will always be my mentor. The atmosphere was full of resilient, influential women leaders from the public and private sectors. Inspired and inspiring women speakers from all walks of life such as parliamentarians, former and current chief executive officers, lawyers, judges, governors, media reps, academia, coaches in the sports industry, financial institutions and donor partners – all shared their experiences, aspirations and challenges with very inspirational, informative and moving messages. I can personally say that ‘the leadership journey must go on!’

Maritina

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG), Fiji, is a female dominated organisation with women forming close to 60% of the establishment. From the pool of very eligible women holding senior positions in OAG, I was nominated by our current Acting Deputy Auditor General (A-DAG), Ms. Finau Nagera, to accompany her to the PASAI Women’s Symposium, where she was a speaker.

My nomination was due, in part, to my recent graduation from IDI’s SYL Programme, as well as my profile as an upcoming female leader in OAG. It’s a great achievement for SAI Fiji to have participated in and completed all three consecutive cohorts of SYL since its inception in 2017 – not just because candidates have successfully graduated from the programme, but because all three graduates are women. I’m the third female SYL graduate from SAI Fiji.

While the SYL programme has delivered on its promise to achieve its two-pronged objective of ‘changed SAI and changed SYL’, the journey was not an easy one. A high degree of sacrifice, determination and perseverance was required to carry out the change strategy from concept to implementation. Through my change strategy, “Taking full advantage of our digital working tool (Team Mate Plus)”, SAI Fiji now has a risk library with audited entities categorised according to strategic and operational risks, allowing for proper scheduling and customised procedures and folders on Team Mate Plus. I believe that I’ve also grown as a person because of the skills and knowledge learned and gained from SYL. I now consider myself more confident, competent and better equipped as an upcoming female leader in OAG.

The emotions felt when being nominated to attend the first ever PASAI Women Symposium mirrored those emotions felt when I was informed of my selection into the SYL programme back in October 2022. It was truly an honour and privilege to represent my SAI – OAG, Fiji. Being able to witness so many well-established women during the Women’s Symposium was empowering and motivating. Networking and experience-sharing during the event was not only eye opening, but it also stimulated the necessary action from the receiving SAIs, as the more developed SAIs shared their experiences on audit practices that would allow audit for impact.

Other messages and stories echoed circumstances back at home in Fiji. The “Frozen Middle” was a new concept that both our A-DAG and I learnt during the symposium, referring to the uninspired and unmotivated middle managers that most often hold the key to whether an organisation achieves its objectives or not. As an upcoming female leader, I endeavor to distance myself from this description – although it will not be easy. As upcoming women leaders, we need to assert ourselves into the leadership roles. Through the SYL programme, I believe that I have been able to step out of my comfort zone: speaking up during meetings, volunteering to lead without expecting anything in return, and doing public speaking. The symposium was a similar breath of fresh air, as everyone was allowed to feel vulnerable, without being judged, surrounded by our Pacific sisters.

Graduating from one of the best development programmes for public sector auditors is an achievement I will cherish forever. I encourage upcoming leaders to apply to the SYL programme because the friendships forged and skills and knowledge gained from the initiative are not just transformative – they are empowering, eye-opening and life changing.

SYLs together

Maritina

During the Women’s Symposium, I was delighted to learn that a graduate from the first cohort of the SYL initiative 2017 – 2018, Oceanbaby Penitito, now in charge of the Performance Audit Services in SAI Samoa, was one of the esteemed speakers. This was my additional motivation, returning from the symposium – to be a leader in the Performance Audit Unit in my SAI. Initiatives such as the SYL programme and being awarded opportunities to attend milestone events such as the inaugural Women’s Symposium are a stepping stone to bringing this vision to fruition.

Ocean

I was thrilled to meet and be alumni with an SYL member from another cohort, Ms. Maritina I. Cirikisuva of SAI Fiji. This is a good reminder for me to push for our young leaders to participate in such initiatives from IDI in nurturing and fostering future leaders. Also featured is Ms. Grace Afatia Mulitalo (left) who also joined me on the SYL programme in the beginning. I conclude this reflection on this note: I was the first of the SAI Young Leaders from SAI Samoa … and certainly, not the last.

To read the full article: CLICK HERE

SAI Young Leaders (SYLs) from OAG Zambia are among many SYLs making a meaningful difference with their change strategy. As we lead up to the next #SYL round opening up, find out more about the SYL programme and the impact SYLs are having around the world.

Driving Change in Audit: Public auditors participating in IDI’s SAI Young Leaders (SYL) programme often report that implementing their SYL change strategy in their SAI involves a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. As IDI prepares to open the doors for the next cohort, hear about three SYLs’ experiences in ACCA‘s AB Magazine. Link : https://abmagazine.accaglobal.com/global/articles/2024/jan/public/driving-change-in-audit.html

Three SAI Young Leaders share their experience of implementing their SYL change strategy in their SAI

Supreme audit institutions (SAIs) are independent entities that audit a government’s revenue and spending, ensuring transparency and accountability. They provide oversight of the performance of government bodies and ministries in using public funds efficiently and as intended. But to sustainably enhance their capabilities and performance over time, SAIs rely on the skills and expertise of talented leaders who drive positive change.

This is where the SAI Young Leaders (SYL) initiative comes in. Launched in 2017, it is run by the INTOSAI Development Initiative, a body of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), which supports the capacity development of SAIs primarily in developing countries … 

Read the full article in ABMagazine.

Leaders from Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) worldwide came together in Paris, France, from October 11 to 13, 2023, for the second Masterclass on SAI Independence. This event, hosted by IDI as part of the Mastery series, in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Court of Accounts of France, aimed to provide SAI leaders with essential tools and strategies to protect the autonomy of their institutions. Opening remarks from both Einar Gørrissen, Director General of IDI, and János Bertók, Deputy Director of OECD Public Governance emphasised the vital role of independent SAIs in transparency, accountability, and good governance. The Masterclass’s goal was to offer participants diverse perspectives, legal expertise and advocacy tools to safeguard their institutions’ independence, even in challenging circumstances. Discussions during the Masterclass underscored the need to broaden the concept of SAI independence beyond the content of legal frameworks. INTOSAI’s independence principles, as reflected in both Lima and Mexico Declarations, are linked to informal components of the institutional framework such as organisational culture, beliefs, incentives and expectations. There is a need to address these elements to understand the way SAI independence principles are being implemented across the INTOSAI community. In addition, SAI leaders considered how this new perspective on independence should also consider the interaction of SAIs with other oversight institutions who share the same independence needs. The Masterclass also highlighted academia’s angle on the role of SAIs as a key player in public accountability and the impact of the audit work on rule of law and transparency. Representatives from various countries, including Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Jordan, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Chad, Zambia, and France met with distinguished figures from the INTOSAI Community, including AFROSAI-E. They also heard from esteemed speakers and partners from renowned institutions like the University of Oslo, USAID, the University of Deuso, Mexico Accountability Network, Africa Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. Beyond serving as a knowledge-sharing platform, the Masterclass also provided the opportunity for active participation in shaping the IDI-OECD project on SAI independence. The collaborative spirit of the event – as evident in the group photograph – underscored these global leaders’ unwavering commitment to promoting transparent, accountable, and effective governance worldwide. Throughout the event, participants engaged in fruitful discussions, sharing their experiences and gaining valuable insights. The Masterclass, with its lively discussions and shared expertise, promised to empower SAI leaders, fostering a strong network of advocates dedicated to championing SAI independence around the world. For more information on IDI’s Masterclasses, visit Mastery on IDI’s website.   For more on SAI Independence, go to IDI’s SAI Independence Resource Centre (SIRC)