Addis Ababa — A three-day capacity development workshop focused on strengthening collaboration and enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of public-sector auditing across Africa commenced today in the Ethiopian capital.
Ethiopia’s Auditor General Meseret Damtie opened the event, emphasizing that reinforcing African Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) is vital for fostering accountable governance, sound public financial management, and sustainable development throughout the continent.
She highlighted that elevated audit quality, institutional capacity building, and inter-institutional cooperation are fundamental to enabling audit bodies to carry out their mandates successfully.
“At the core of ARISE (African Regional Initiative for Strengthening Effectiveness) lies the ethos of mutual assistance and partnership,” the Auditor General stated, underscoring the significance of collaboration among participating institutions, program coordinators, peer SAIs, and development partners in driving sustainable outcomes.
The Auditor General noted that the workshop offers a valuable platform to define roles and responsibilities, enhance project management and facilitation competencies, and share insights gained during the initial phases of the program’s implementation.
Linking the principles of cooperation and shared responsibility embedded in ARISE to Ethiopia’s Medemer philosophy—rooted in synergy, collective contribution, and common objectives—she reinforced the cultural and operational alignment behind the initiative.
She further emphasized that collaborative efforts are key to institutional strengthening and advancing sustainable development, resonating with the program’s focus on partnerships and unified action to bolster public-sector accountability across Africa.
Muhammed Dabo, representing the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), pointed out that lasting improvements in Supreme Audit Institutions extend beyond technical training and require robust institutional frameworks, visionary leadership, skilled personnel, and adaptive change management.
“While each partner plays a unique role, our shared goal remains clear: to cultivate stronger, more effective, and resilient Supreme Audit Institutions,” he affirmed, noting the interdependent contributions of beneficiary SAIs, peer organizations, regional bodies, and international development partners.
Dabo urged attendees to engage in open knowledge exchange, proactively identify obstacles, remain flexible in approach, and craft actionable strategies tailored to their institutions’ needs.
He emphasized that the true measure of the workshop’s impact will be reflected in the practical lessons adopted and the tangible enhancements realized once participants return to their respective roles.
The ARISE programme, implemented by IDI with backing from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) through 2028, delivers SAI-led, long-term support to Supreme Audit Institutions working within complex environments across Africa. Its focus areas include elevating audit quality, strengthening institutional governance, advancing strategic planning, and deepening stakeholder engagement.
