AFRODAD Official Touts SADC Model Law at Malawi Workshop
The two-day virtual workshop equipped participants with insights into strengthening public financial management across the 16-nation SADC bloc.
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MPONELA, Malawi—Diana Mochonge, a senior official from the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD), highlighted the transformative potential of the SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management in an online presentation on Saturday during a workshop organized by the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) in collaboration with AFRODAD, writes Winston Mwale.
From Kenya, Mochonge made the presentation on the second day of the two-day workshop, which was funded by the Gates Foundation and aimed at empowering members of the Budget and Finance Committee of Parliament and those who sit at the SADC Parliamentary Forum on budgetary oversight.
She emphasized the pivotal role of the Model Law in enhancing public finance governance across the southern African region.
"The model law is an opportunity for SADC member states to identify and close policy, legal, and regulatory gaps, allowing best practices to emerge and harmonizing regulations regionally," Mochonge stated.
Mochonge outlined next steps, including a "detailed comparative analysis" of the model law against national legislation on public financial management.
Parliamentary roundtables "to sensitize MPs on the Model Law" and provide recommendations for aligning domestic policies are also planned.
The presentation prompted questions from lawmakers on implementing the Model Law and its potential impacts in their countries.
The vworkshop equipped participants with insights on strengthening public financial management across the 16-nation SADC bloc.
Adopted in July 2022, the SADC Model Law aims to enhance transparency and oversight in how governments collect, manage and spend public funds.
It requires expanded roles for national authorities and parliaments.
Mochonge has over 10 years of experience in international development, specializing in public finance governance, aid effectiveness, tax justice and other areas at AFRODAD.