Program budget: to improve governance, Cemac draws inspiration from the Uemoa model

Heading the delegation from the Economic Community of Central African States (Cemac), Charles Assamba Ongodo, Vice-President of the Commission, was received by Abdoulaye Diop, President of the Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (Uemoa). The main objective of this meeting was for the Cemac to familiarize itself with the strategy adopted by the Uemoa, for the changeover of its budget management from means-based to program-based budgeting.

More specifically, the aim was for the Cemac Commission to assimilate the strategic approach adopted by the Uemoa Commission. This involves grasping the key concepts of results-based budgeting (RBM), the methodology for drawing up the budget framework and determining the budget envelopes allocated to the various programs to be implemented, the methods for defining performance indicators, as well as the success factors linked to the operationalization of program-based budgeting.

Uemoa, through the voice of Commission President Abdoulaye Diop, has expressed its willingness to support Cemac in the implementation of its program budget.

“To ensure the success of this program-budget reform, the Uemoa Commission has adopted a progressive and gradual approach to its implementation within the union’s bodies,

said Lassine Bouare, Commissioner in charge of Uemoa’s administrative and financial services department.

“The level reached in the implementation of this program-budget reform means that the Uemoa Commission now has experience and precedence in the said reform,   he adds. A willingness to share experience that does not leave the Cemac indifferent.

“We preferred to come and share our experiences with our brothers who have the same status and the same objectives. We look forward to welcoming a team of experts from Uemoa in the very near future, with a view to hosting a technical workshop to build the capacity of departmental directorates, and in particular those involved in the financial chain, to draw up and implement the BPP and RBM, said Charles Assamba Ongodo, Vice-President of the Cemac Commission. 

“With a view to improving governance, we have decided to equip the community with a new budgetary and financial architecture that will enable it to ensure modern, transparent and efficient management of its activities through performance-based budget programs that better reflect the public policies pursued by its institutions, added Charles Assamba Ongodo.

Results-based budgeting

According to the French-language humanities and social sciences web portal Cairn.info, results-based budgeting initiatives generally have two major objectives: to improve resource allocation decisions, and to enhance operational efficiency. For 3 days, the mission led by Charles Assamba Ongodo will learn about the methodology and strategy used by the Uemoa Commission to implement the program budget.

The two delegations will also review the various organizational, legal and technical tools developed for the preparation, adoption and execution of the program budget. Discussions will also focus on the difficulties encountered, the successes achieved and the lessons to be learned.