Building Economic Management and Corporate Governance Capacities

Strong systems of public finance management are necessary for African states to administer scarce resources efficiently; formulate, implement, and enforce sound macroeconomic and poverty reduction policies and regulations; and be monitored and held accountable. Many African governments suffer from poor economic performance and exceedingly high deficit spending due to weaknesses in their institutional capacity for transparent budget preparation and execution. Additionally, lack of transparency in monetary and financial agencies, poor regulatory frameworks, and lax financial controls within the public sector have lead to serious abuse and outright corruption.

Good corporate governance is also essential as African governments become more competitive and market-oriented and increasingly recognize the private sector as a prime engine for bringing in investment, technology, training, and employment that stimulates growth and development. As countries struggle to attract domestic and international capital, there is an urgent need to tackle the concerns of investors that Africa is a high-risk continent and move to protect their funds with transparent laws and regulations that are well understood and enforced. By aligning their financial sectors with international codes and standards as well, African countries can create an environment conducive to investment and savings.

In this area, DPMD focuses on:

  • assessing African governments' capabilities in economic and corporate governance, including the required oversight and protection mechanisms and systems
  • identifying and disseminating best practices
  • providing technical assistance to isolate capacity gaps
  • in its role to support the African Peer Review Mechanism, undertaking assessments of public finance management and accountability systems in the countries being reviewed
  • promoting further public-private partnerships (PPPs)

DPMD studies underway:

Public financial management and accountability in the context of budget transparency

Best practices and emerging issues in economic and corporate governance

Enhancing CSOs' Roles in Promoting Corporate Accountability

Recent DPMD Publications:

Guidelines for Enhancing Good Economic and Corporate Governance in Africa

Codes and Guidelines for Good Economic and Corporate Governance in Africa: Summary of Key issues and Declaration of Principles

Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises in Africa: A Strategic Framework for Support Services

Contact:

Mr. Mzwanele Mfunwa, Development Management Officer
mmfunwa@uneca.org