Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) are crucial for promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in public administration, supporting national and global development goals like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yet, despite their importance, SAIs are under constant threat from political interference, instability, and weak public awareness. As demands for government transparency soar, SAIs stand as the key defenders of financial accountability and ethical governance.

INTOSAI and the UN both stress that SAIs can’t effectively fulfil their mandate without independence. However, across the globe—and especially in the AFROSAI-E region—SAI independence is under attack, weakened by poor legislation, lack of tenure for auditor generals, and limited financial control. This growing problem needs bold, multi-level action.

The AFROSAI-E Model Public Audit Act is a game changer. Developed with the support of the GIZ Good Financial Governance (GFG) in Africa programme, it aims to serve as a best-practice legislative framework to strengthen SAI independence. Covering all eight principles of independence, this act is a must-have tool for lawmakers, parliaments, and oversight bodies in Sub-Saharan Africa—and a vital resource for civil society, media, and international partners pushing for stronger accountability.

• We invite comments on the exposure draft of the Model Audit Act until 15 October 2024.

Click here to read the AFROSAI-E Model Audit Act 

To further support SAI independence, AFROSAI-E and INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) launched an initiative to enhance legal support units within AFROSAI-E SAIs. In August, we hosted legal experts from across the region to share experiences and best practices, discuss ways to enhance legal support and examine the new Model Public Audit Act in depth.