AFROSAI-E, with funding from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South Africa, conducted a high-impact support mission to the Office of the Auditor-General of Zimbabwe (SAI Zimbabwe) from 30 June to 4 July 2025. The mission, held in Harare, forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance audit effectiveness and efficiency through the implementation of the Audit Software for Enhanced Audit Techniques (A-SEAT), locally customised as Z-SEAT.

Objectives of the Support Mission

The mission had five core objectives:

• Support the SAI in updating the Z-SEAT system.
• Review and update key project documentation, including the implementation roadmap and change management strategy.
• Conduct champions training to build capacity on newly introduced functionalities.
• Engage audit teams to collect feedback on challenges and clarify system functionalities.
• Gather new system requirements to inform future development.

This initiative falls under the broader African Renaissance Fund (ARF) project, which supports AFROSAI-E member SAIs in strengthening governance environments and delivering quality, value-adding audits.

Reflections from the Field

The mission has already begun yielding practical results. According to Mr Tauje Mwamadi, Head of ICT at SAI Zimbabwe, the support mission “enabled us to implement new Z-SEAT features and address technical issues that arose during pilot audits.”

Mr Tumisung Liphoto, a resource person from the SAI of Lesotho, noted the mission created “a valuable platform for audit teams to share their experiences.” He emphasised the team’s enthusiasm for features like online editing and concurrent access to working papers, functionalities now available in Z-SEAT. She added that improved internet connectivity through the SAI’s provision of MyFis would be essential in maximising these capabilities.

DIRCO Oversight and Strategic Engagement

As part of its oversight role, DIRCO requested a courtesy meeting between the South African Embassy and SAI Zimbabwe’s leadership. The meeting took place on 2 July 2025 at Buroughs House, Harare.

Attendees included:

• Mrs Magadza, Deputy Auditor-General (DAG), representing the Acting Auditor-General, and three senior SAI officials.
• Ms Desiree Moodley, Deputy Ambassador, representing the South African Ambassador, along with Mr Brian Sebola, Finance Manager at ARF, and a third embassy representative.
• Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zimbabwe.
• A representative from AFROSAI-E.

During the meeting, the South African Embassy reiterated its staunch support for the digitalisation of SAIs, framing the project as a catalyst for improved transparency, accountability, and governance. The Embassy also highlighted the importance of aligning this transformation with broader G20 themes such as sustainability and citizen impact.

ARF representatives underlined their commitment to supporting good governance and digital transformation, stressing that the success of the Z-SEAT project will ultimately be judged by improved audit outcomes and positive impacts on citizens’ lives. They encouraged SAI Zimbabwe to continue identifying areas where further support could enhance project success.

A Shared Commitment to Good Governance

The meeting also provided SAI Zimbabwe with an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to digital transformation and sustainability. The DAG shared that a digitalisation plan is currently in development, with key needs identified in infrastructure, training for technical staff, regional benchmarking, and acquisition of audit equipment.

AFROSAI-E presented its broader vision and theory of change, emphasising how initiatives like Z-SEAT contribute to strengthened national accountability systems and better governance outcomes.

Looking Forward

The successful completion of the mission marks a significant step forward in SAI Zimbabwe’s digital journey. Through close collaboration, strategic investment, and shared commitment among all stakeholders (SAI Zimbabwe, AFROSAI-E, DIRCO, and the South African Embassy), the Z-SEAT project is well-positioned to deliver lasting improvements in public sector auditing.

The mission not only reinforced technical capacity but also cemented partnerships that will drive the evolution of audit institutions across the region, ensuring that digital transformation translates into tangible, citizen-centred results.