Somali Auditor General Attends 22nd AFROSAI-E Summit in Liberia

MOGADISHU – The Auditor General of Somalia’s federal government, Ahmed Issa Gutale, has returned to Mogadishu after leading the country’s delegation to the 22nd Governing Board Meeting and General Assembly of the English-speaking African Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) in Monrovia, Liberia.

The high-level conference, hosted by the General Auditing Commission of Liberia under the leadership of Auditor General P. Garswa Jackson Sr., brought together Auditors General, representatives from member Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), and international development partners to address critical issues concerning public sector auditing and financial accountability. The week-long assembly, which ran from May 18 to 22, 2026, marked the first time Liberia has hosted the regional gathering since AFROSAI-E’s establishment.

Strengthening Audit Quality and Institutional Capacity

Somali Auditor General Ahmed Issa Gutale and his team participated in technical discussions, explored cooperation possibilities, and shared experiences with other audit institutions and partner organizations. The summit concentrated on enhancing audit quality, increasing the application of modern data analytics in audit procedures, and improving supervision of public debt management to promote accountability, transparency, and fiscal sustainability throughout African nations.

Four senior officials from the Office of the Auditor General of Somalia, including the Deputy Auditor General, have previously graduated from a leadership development program jointly organized by AFROSAI-E and Henley Business School Africa, equipping participants with critical skills in strategic oversight, good governance, and institutional accountability. This graduation marked a significant milestone for Somalia’s public financial management reform agenda.

Focus on Data Analytics and Debt Management

Delegates at the Monrovia summit discussed key issues including data analytics, public debt auditing, transparency, accountability, and long-term fiscal sustainability. Somalia’s Office of the Auditor General benefited from the forum by reinforcing professional collaboration, exchanging expertise, and aligning with contemporary auditing practices used by Supreme Audit Institutions across Africa.

The Office of the Auditor General of Somalia has previously taken part in joint workshops hosted by AFROSAI-E, contributing to sessions focused on strengthening public audit oversight in the extractives sector and emphasizing the need for transparency, sustainability, and accountability. Somalia’s Cabinet has endorsed the country’s audited financial statements for fiscal year 2024, a landmark achievement underscoring the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Regional Cooperation and Reform Momentum

The Monrovia gathering reviewed progress under AFROSAI-E’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan while addressing emerging challenges confronting public sector auditing on the continent. Discussions focused on strengthening public-sector auditing, improving transparency, and expanding the use of data and technology across audit institutions across Africa.

Auditor General Gutale has previously welcomed a growing commitment by international development partners to channel their support through Somalia’s Country System, a move he said will strengthen oversight, boost accountability, and enhance national ownership of projects. The Office of the Auditor General of Somalia has officially published the Audit Report of the Annual Financial Statements of the Federal Government for the financial year ended 31 December 2024, highlighting major accountability gaps and demonstrating a growing commitment to financial oversight.

Somalia’s participation in the AFROSAI-E summit highlighted the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public financial oversight and enhance cooperation with regional and international audit institutions. Officials said engagement at the summit provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and adopt modern auditing practices aimed at improving governance and financial management.