2025 Public Financial Management Conference opens in Kampala

KAMPALA - The Public Financial Management Conference 2025 has opened in Kampala with a call to professional accountants to be more transparent while handling public resources.

The conference happening at the Golden Tulip Canaan, Kampala is hosted by Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) under the theme: “Enhancing Public Finance in Africa: Progress and Prospects.”

In his keynote address, Minister of State for Finance, Henry Musasizi highlighted the need for public accountants to embrace technology so as to eliminate cases of corruption that continue to infiltrate the sector.

He also emphasized the need for African economies to operate under manageable public debt so as not to strain efforts geared towards economic growth and revenue collection.

"The event is of great significance as it is a crucial platform for advancing important discussions regarding Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms in Africa. We need frameworks that safeguard the ecosystem and ensure accountability of public funds,” Musasizi noted.

Building on the success of the first PFM Conference for Africa held in Kenya in 2024, the 2025 conference is envisaged to contribute to improved public service delivery and sustainable economic growth across Africa by noting significant milestones, exploring recent advancements and identifying emerging opportunities for enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in PFM.

"As Africa continues to strengthen its PFM systems, it is imperative that we move beyond discussions and take bold, collective action. This conference is not just about assessing progress but about forging the partnerships and strategies that will drive real change.

PAFA remains committed to equipping the profession with the tools and knowledge needed to enhance governance, combat corruption, and ensure financial sustainability for future generations," Keto Kayemba, President of PAFA highlighted.

The aim is to convene key stakeholders in the Africa PFM ecosystem from across the continent to evaluate progress in PFM reforms, share knowledge, and chart a path for enhancing PFM in Africa.

High-level officials in the Africa PFM ecosystem in attendance include leaders of Professional Accountancy Organizations (PAOs), Accountant Generals, Auditor Generals, Members of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) and development partners.