Dakar, Senegal - The UNDP Regional Platform for West and Central Africa, through its Pôle project “Development strategies and public finances”, participated in the regional workshop organized by the department of public finances of IMF with the support of the Government of Senegal. This workshop aimed at strengthening budgetary transparency in African French speaking countries.

From January 31 to February 1, participants shared knowledge and reflected on three main questions:

1. What is the role of regional organizations?
2. How to strengthen and foster the exchange of experience among countries?
3. What role can the civil society play?

The opening of the workshop was chaired by the Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning of Senegal, the first sub-Saharan African country that conducted a budgetary transparency evaluation. The findings of the evaluation helped identify the achievements in terms of strengthening the transparency in African French speaking countries.

Five countries, namely Tunisia, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Madagascar, presented their achievements. UNDP underscored the importance of the evaluation of principles of transparency and good management of public finances. These evaluations are conducted in collaboration with WAEMU and CAEMC commissions within the framework of governance which is one of the key elements of Sustainable development goal n°16.

Discussions focused on ways to improve tools and approaches that foster transparency and citizen participation. Panel discussions were chaired by representatives of organizations engaged in the promotion and strengthening of budgetary transparency such as Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT), International Budget Partnership (IBP), the secretariat of Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA). These discussions helped identify progress and weaknesses; and, through questions and answers, share experiences capable to foster budgetary transparency. Participants also proposed recommendations for thorough communication and stronger involvement of citizens in the preparation of the budget as well as its reporting.

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For further information or interviews with medias, please contact:

Daouda Kamano, Public Finances Regional Adviser, UNDP Regional Platform for West and Central Africa – Pôle Development Strategies and public finances daouda.kamano@undp.org , Tel: 00221 77 332 43 35

Jean-Félix Ntango, M&E Specialist, UNDP Regional Platform for West and Central Africa – Pôle Development Strategies and public finances
jean.felix.ntango@undp.org; Tel: 00221 786391559

Tahir Basse, Communication Specialist, UNDP Regional Platform for West and Central Africa- tahir.basse@undp.org, Tel: 00221 77 332 43 36

Hamadou Adama Ba, Communication Assistant- UNDP Regional Platform for West and Central Africa – Pôle Development Strategies and public finances
hamadou.adama.ba@undp.org, Tel :00221 77 521 58 28