Auditor General, Ahmed Gutale, attend 20th AFROSAI-E in Kampala

T he Auditor General of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Ahmed Isse Gutale, between May 6 to 9, 2024, attended the 20th Conference of the African Association of Auditors in English (AFROSAI-E) in Kampala, Uganda. The theme of this year’s conference was the vision of 2029. It analyzed important points such as the review of the 2024 plan, the overview of the new AFROSAI-E Strategic Plan 2025-2029 and how Audit Institutions can improve the implementation of their duty with the help of civil society. During the meeting, like other member Auditors General, Ahmed Isse Gutale, had the opportunity to not only reflect on the daily challenges but also propose innovative ways to address them. “The external challenges, such as declining functional independence and political will to support SAIs, together with the requirements of ISSAI 140 (quality management for SAIs) and ISSAI 150 (auditor competence), necessitate a fundamental shift in our thinking,” a report from the African Organization of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions read. The leaders said that they have the power to professionalize their organizations, implement strategic plans, develop staff competencies, and prioritize development needs. At the conference, the members engaged in a thoughtful discussion about the crucial role of organizational culture within the workplace. The theme of engaging stakeholders effectively to increase impact and strengthen the independence of African Organization of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions emerged as a cornerstone of the discussions. “These engagements are pivotal in fostering effective collaboration with our donors and partners, ensuring a mutual understanding of each other’s mandates, challenges, and reporting requirements,” the Auditors stated.

The AFROSAI-E admitted the importance of embracing digital transformation to enhance their audit methodologies, increase audit coverage, and deliver greater value to stakeholders through real-time data analysis, predictive modelling, or interactive reporting. “The pace of technological change is unprecedented, reshaping the way governments operate and citizens receive public services. To stay ahead of the curve, we must embrace innovation and adapt to new methodologies and techniques,” the AFROSAI-E stated in a report. In another productive engagement in May, the Auditor General, Ahmed Isse Gutale, signed a bilateral agreement between the Office of the Auditor General of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Office of the National Auditor of Sweden. This five-year agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two offices and facilitate the exchange of experience and expertise in developing and improving performance audits. This audit is a specific type of audits mandated by the Federal Republic of Somalia’s Audit Law.