A dynamic blend of audit and communication professionals from 12 AFROSAI-E member Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) gathered in South Africa for the recent Communication and Stakeholder Engagement (CSE) Regional Workshop. The week-long event, themed “Reporting for Impact,” opened new avenues of understanding and collaboration between disciplines that are often siloed.

Hosted with the expert support of the National Audit Office of the United Kingdom (NAO UK), the workshop focused on how SAIs can better plan for, achieve, and report on impact—both in their audit work and in communicating their own performance.

Chris Groom, a performance auditor from NAO UK, shared practical insights on embedding impact into every stage of the audit process—from planning and fieldwork to final reporting. His sessions emphasised the importance of identifying the desired impact early and aligning audit activities accordingly.

One of the standout lessons was the value of root-cause analysis in crafting actionable recommendations. Delegates explored how clear, concise reporting not only improves stakeholder understanding but also strengthens follow-up and implementation.

The workshop also highlighted the strategic role of SAIs’ performance reports. Moving from output-based to outcome-based reporting allows SAIs to demonstrate their value more effectively and to spotlight the operational challenges they face.

Communication specialists gained a deeper appreciation for the audit process and brainstormed ways to enhance internal and external messaging. Anna Kennedy-O’Brien, Deputy Head of International Relations at NAO UK, introduced tools and techniques for impactful report writing and messaging, helping to extend the reach and resonance of audit findings.

Throughout the workshop, delegates found common ground in understanding stakeholders, refining report packaging, and extracting key messages that showcase impact. The cross-functional collaboration fostered a shared language and mutual respect between auditors and communicators.

AFROSAI-E extends its gratitude to all participants and encourages SAI leadership to support the implementation of the skills and insights gained. A special thanks goes to NAO UK for their invaluable contribution to this transformative workshop.