For many years, the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of Namibia hesitated to engage with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) due to many uncertainties about this stakeholder group. With AFROSAI-E highlighting how to engage with CSOs, the SAI began its journey towards enhancing its engagements with these stakeholders. In 2023, the SAI achieved a significant milestone by establishing robust relationships with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). This achievement was facilitated through stakeholder identification and mapping, with invaluable support from CIVIC+264, the official database administrator for civil society organisations in Namibia.
The SAI partnered with CIVIC+264 to host its inaugural information session with CSOs. This event aimed to raise awareness about the SAI’s work and mandate, fostering strategic networks with key watchdog organisations like Integrity Namibia and Survey Warehouse. Integrity Namibia plays a crucial role in producing the national survey for the Afrobarometer on Corruption in Namibia, thereby enhancing the SAI’s insights into national transparency and accountability within financial management systems.
The SAI’s collaboration with the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), another prominent watchdog CSO, has been instrumental in bringing together critical stakeholders. These include the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprise, the Public Accounts Committee, and the Office of the Ombudsman. This collective effort has facilitated citizen dialogue on the national budgeting process, with the SAI playing a pivotal role in educating citizens about its responsibilities in ensuring transparency and accountability in state resource management. This partnership has also contributed to improving internal controls and the timely issuance of the Government of Namibia’s report, which is crucial for maintaining high national accountability and good governance ratings as assessed by the Open Budget Survey conducted annually by IPPR and other international stakeholders.
Looking ahead, the SAI plans to intensify its awareness efforts and explore further collaborations with CSOs. A key focus area will be integrating CSOs into the performance audit topic selection and discussion process. This will ensure that the SAI addresses issues that have a significant impact on the broader population, thereby enhancing its relevance and effectiveness in promoting transparency and accountability. By fostering these partnerships, the SAI aims to leverage the expertise and perspectives of civil society to strengthen its audit processes and contribute to better governance in Namibia.
Visit the SAI Namibia website: https://oag.gov.na/
SAI Namibia Communication Team: Ms Benitha Nakaambo, Mr. Michael Matheus and Ms Christell Nassauw, who, after seven years at the SAI, resigned last month to take up a new position. AFROSAI-E wishes her the best in her new venture and appreciates the work she and her team have done towards Communication and Stakeholder Engagement in the SAI of Namibia.
