ZIMBABWE’S global position on the Open Budget Survey (OBS) continues to improve, with the southern African country currently ranked 30th out of 125 countries, according to fresh data.
The survey, conducted by the Washington-based think-tank International Budget Partnership (IBP), promotes responsible, effective, and equitable management of public funds.
The OBS is the only global indicator that measures and compares transparency, public participation, and oversight of the budget process internationally.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube recently highlighted that Zimbabwe’s participation in the global index demonstrates the government’s commitment to transparently manage public funds.
In his mid-term budget statement, Ncube commented on Zimbabwe’s standing on the global index, noting that the country will record a modest 2% economic growth despite the challenges posed by the unfolding El- Niño-induced drought and falling commodity prices.
Zimbabwe has been participating in the OBS since 2019, when it was ranked 41st out of 125 countries.
“The 2023 survey is the sixth round for Zimbabwe to participate in the Open Budget Survey and the country has been steadily improving,” Ncube said.
“Zimbabwe continues to participate in the OBS, and it has been improving its ranking since 2019.
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“In Sub-Saharan Africa, Zimbabwe remained third ranked, after South Africa (ranked fourth in the world at 83) and Benin at 79. Zimbabwe jumped from the 41st world rank out of 120 countries in 2021, to 30th position out of 125 countries in 2023.”
According to the US-based think-tank, “conclusions of the OBS are the result of an objective and rigorous survey consisting of 145 research questions assessing three key areas: transparency, participation and oversight”.
The survey analyses eight key budget documents: the pre-budget statement, executive budget proposal, enacted budget, citizens’ budget, in-year report, mid-year review, year-end report, and audit report.
However, successive reports from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) have demonstrated a haphazard framework under which public funds are managed in Zimbabwe.
The latest report from the OAG, which examines the management of public funds by various central and local government departments in 2023, reveals numerous challenges including poor revenue collection, inadequate debt management, compromised governance structures, ineffective procurement procedures, and asset mismanagement crippling State agencies and local authorities.
Among other key findings, acting AG Rheah Kujinga observed that local authorities were not submitting their financials to the OAG for auditing on time.
