By Mwaka Nakapite, SAI Zambia
The Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) is an information system adopted by many governments to automate and enhance public financial management. It streamlines financial operations by integrating key processes such as planning, budgeting, procurement, and reporting.
In June 2025, AFROSAI-E organised an IFMIS supervision and review workshop aimed at improving oversight of IFMIS and other critical information systems. Building on this initiative, a peer IFMIS audit benchmarking programme was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 18 to 21 August 2025. The programme brought together Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, all of which are using IFMIS systems, running on SAP.
During the sessions, participants reflected on the rationale for implementing IFMIS in their countries. Key drivers included digitising payment processes, enhancing efficiency, strengthening financial management, and addressing weaknesses in legacy systems. The discussions also emphasised the important role auditors can play in ensuring the successful implementation and review of IFMIS.
The workshop provided a valuable platform to exchange experiences, share challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement in auditing IFMIS. Areas highlighted for further enhancement included:
- Strengthening collaboration between Information Systems (IS) and financial auditors, particularly in sharing audit findings.
- Developing innovative approaches to collaboration, such as creating standardised guidance notes or working papers for financial auditors.
- Linking IS audit findings with financial statement assertions.
- Improving SAP navigation skills.
- Enhancing data analysis capabilities.
Overall, the workshop was considered a success, meeting the expectations of participants. As a follow-up, a training will be conducted in Malawi in December 2025, focusing on the identified critical focus areas in IFMIS audit and strategies to strengthen the audit of IFMIS.
