Impactful stakeholder relationship management
For audits to lead to real change, SAIs must engage effectively with the people and institutions their work is meant to influence. This workstream supports SAIs in building and sustaining meaningful relationships with key stakeholders through strategic communication and targeted engagement. Our focus includes strengthening auditee engagement, enhancing collaboration with Parliamentary Committees such as PACs, fostering citizen and civil society participation, and improving both crisis and digital communication. By promoting open dialogue and mutual understanding, we help SAIs ensure that audit findings are heard, understood, and acted upon—amplifying the impact of their work.
New Guides for Stronger Communication & Reporting
Your experience matters! AFROSAI-E invites SAIs to help shape two new practical resources designed to strengthen communication, stakeholder engagement, and the impact of audit reporting.
The Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Handbook provides a roadmap for SAIs to move beyond simply sharing information towards building meaningful relationships with the people and institutions that use their work. It offers practical guidance on strategic communication, internal engagement, working with Parliament, the media, civil society and citizens, and measuring whether communication efforts are making a difference.
The Writing for Impact Guide focuses on making audit information clearer, more accessible and easier to act upon. With practical writing principles, examples and tools, it helps auditors and communication professionals turn complex technical information into messages that readers can understand and use, without compromising accuracy or professional standards.
Both publications are now available as exposure drafts, and we encourage SAIs to review them and share their perspectives.
Feedback is invited by 31 March 2027. Your insights, practical experiences and suggestions will help ensure these resources are relevant to the realities SAIs face and genuinely useful in their day-to-day work. By contributing to this review, member SAIs have an opportunity to shape guidance that will support stronger communication and more impactful reporting across the region.
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Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Effective communication and meaningful stakeholder engagement are essential for SAIs to build public trust, enhance visibility, and increase the impact of their audit work. To support SAIs in strengthening these areas, AFROSAI-E has developed a comprehensive suite of practical tools and resources, including:
These resources provide clear explanations, practical examples, and step-by-step guidance to help SAIs develop context-specific communication strategies and policies. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining existing approaches, these tools are designed to help you engage more effectively with your stakeholders and elevate your SAI’s communication impact.
Auditee Engagement
Better Engagement, Better Audits: Understanding Your Auditees
Engaging effectively with auditees is essential to a successful and impactful audit process. When auditors take time to understand the unique context, challenges, and operations of the entities they audit, they are better equipped to write practical, relevant, and implementable recommendations. Proactive and constructive engagement not only builds trust and cooperation but also improves the quality and relevance of audit findings, ultimately contributing to better public service delivery. To support SAIs in strengthening this vital relationship, AFROSAI-E has developed targeted resources, including:
- A short video offering practical tips and advice on how to improve communication and build positive, professional relationships with auditees.
- A complementary tool, Sample Questions for Auditee Feedback, which SAIs can use to gather insights from auditees to improve audit processes and foster continuous learning.
Engaging effectively with auditees is essential to a successful and impactful audit process. When auditors take time to understand the unique context, challenges, and operations of the entities they audit, they are better equipped to write practical, relevant, and implementable recommendations. Proactive and constructive engagement not only builds trust and cooperation but also improves the quality and relevance of audit findings, ultimately contributing to better public service delivery. To support SAIs in strengthening this vital relationship, AFROSAI-E has developed targeted resources, including:
Public Accounts Committee Engagement
Empowering Accountability Through SAI–PAC Collaboration
A strong, collaborative relationship between SAIs and Public Accounts Committees (PACs) is essential for enhancing public accountability and ensuring audit recommendations lead to meaningful action. Effective engagement with PACs helps drive the impact of audit work, supports legislative oversight, and reinforces trust in public institutions. To support SAIs in cultivating these vital relationships, AFROSAI-E has developed practical resources including:
- SAI–PAC Relations Guideline – A comprehensive guide outlining key principles, roles, and practices for building productive, trust-based relationships with PACs.
- Video Presentation – A short, insightful video covering:
- What to engage on: Focusing on the most strategic and high-impact topics;
- How to approach enhanced engagement: Practical advice for building trust and understanding;
- Collaboration on the follow-up of recommendations: Strengthening the link between audit findings and corrective action.
Engaging effectively with auditees is essential to a successful and impactful audit process. When auditors take time to understand the unique context, challenges, and operations of the entities they audit, they are better equipped to write practical, relevant, and implementable recommendations. Proactive and constructive engagement not only builds trust and cooperation but also improves the quality and relevance of audit findings, ultimately contributing to better public service delivery. To support SAIs in strengthening this vital relationship, AFROSAI-E has developed targeted resources, including:
Citizen and CSO Engagement
Amplifying Impact Through Citizen & CSO Engagement
SAIs can significantly enhance the relevance and impact of their work by engaging with citizens and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). These partnerships help bridge the gap between audit findings and public accountability, especially in contexts where transparency and trust are essential for good governance. To support SAIs in building and strengthening these relationships, AFROSAI-E offers a practical Guideline on SAI–CSO Engagements. Based on the INTOSAI CBC global framework, this resource has been adapted for the realities of the African context. It walks SAIs through a step-by-step process to assess, develop, and evaluate their engagement with CSOs—acknowledging that each country’s social, political, and institutional landscape is unique.
Complementing the guideline, we’ve developed a short video presentation that explores:
- Implementation of the IntoSAINT integrity self-assessment tool
- Development and execution of strategic and operational plans
- Establishment of robust monitoring and evaluation systems
Whether your SAI is just beginning this journey or looking to deepen existing relationships, these tools will support you in making engagement more effective, strategic, and inclusive.
Crisis Communication
Communicating with Confidence in Times of Crisis
When a crisis strikes, clear, timely, and transparent communication can make all the difference. For Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), effectively managing stakeholder relationships during emergencies is critical to maintaining public trust and organisational credibility.
To support SAIs in navigating these challenging moments, AFROSAI-E has developed a practical resource on Crises, Emergency and Risk Communication (CERC). This guidance document offers tools and strategies to help SAIs prepare for and respond to crises—whether dealing with natural disasters, institutional disruptions, or reputational risks.
In addition, our CERC e-learning programme brings these principles to life, offering practical scenarios, actionable advice, and key lessons to help communication teams and audit professionals strengthen their crisis readiness.
With the right preparation, SAIs can not only weather the storm but emerge stronger and more resilient.
Communication & Stakeholder Relations Resources
Looking to dive deeper into effective communication and stakeholder engagement? This section brings together all our additional resources—webinar recordings, e-learning courses, and more—designed to strengthen the capacity of SAIs and their staff in building trusted relationships with stakeholders. Whether you're new to the field or looking to refine your approach, these practical tools offer valuable insights, real-life examples, and strategies to support your work.
On 29 November 2024, the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) and AFROSAI co-hosted a dynamic webinar exploring regional stakeholder engagement practices. Moderated by AFROSAI-E, the session brought together insights from across the continent to highlight how different sub-regions are approaching stakeholder engagement. Tune in to hear practical examples, shared experiences, and innovative ideas to strengthen your SAI’s stakeholder relations strategy.
Build Confidence and Clarity with Every Presentation
Strong presentation skills are essential for making an impact—whether you’re sharing audit findings, leading a meeting, or speaking at an event. This short course will help you sharpen one of the most valuable professional skills in the workplace.
By completing the course, you’ll learn how to:
- Identify what makes a presentation effective
- Structure your message for maximum impact
- Set clear objectives to guide your delivery
- Present with confidence and clarity
Whether you’re new to presenting or want to polish your approach, this course offers practical guidance to help you communicate with purpose and poise.
Strengthen Your Digital Voice: Master the Basics of Online Communication
In today’s fast-paced digital world, knowing how to communicate effectively online is essential. This short, practical course introduces you to the trends, principles, and tools that drive impactful digital communication—particularly through social media.
By the end of this course, you’ll understand how to:
Navigate how people consume and create digital content
Apply key principles for effective digital communication
Develop a social media strategy and content plan
Choose the right platforms and grow your audience
Communicate clearly and professionally on social media
Use email newsletters to engage stakeholders
Course duration: Approximately 1 hour.
Certificate: Earn an achievement badge by completing the course and learner evaluation.
Perfect for communication practitioners or any staff involved in stakeholder engagement.
Communication Toolkit: Practical Tips for Engaging with Media, Citizens and CSOs
This five-module toolkit is packed with practical guidance to help SAIs strengthen their communication with key stakeholders. Explore a range of tools and formats—from press releases and storytelling to social media, public hearings, and more—all aimed at making your messages clearer, more engaging, and more impactful.
