The German Government through GIZ (Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit) is working on improving public financial management and good government in Africa. GIZ recognises the importance and value of developing SAI capacity and effective work with Parliaments, particularly in resource-rich African countries. In seeking to develop and share good practice, GIZ collaborated with seven African SAIs to host the ‘Workshop: Enhancing SAI Capacity in Auditing the Extractive Industry Sector,’ in Uganda. This Uganda workshop was a follow-up to an eight-day training event in Extractive Industry audit held in Germany during June 2015.

During his opening remarks, Mr. John F. S. Muwanga, the Auditor General of Uganda and Chair of the INTOSAI Working Group on audit of Extractive Industries, emphasised the key role of SAIs in the good governance of the Extractive Industries sector, the challenges faced by SAIs, and the importance of continuing capacity initiatives to enhance SAI capacity.The workshop took place in Uganda with participants from the SAIs in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The aim of the workshop was to share technical knowledge and challenges in applying revised audit practices in Africa.

During the workshop in Uganda, the participant SAIs, GIZ experts and facilitators:

• Shared knowledge and experiences as a result of their respective financial and performance audits in the Extractive Industry sector;
• Discussed the challenges and risks in auditing the sector from an auditor’s perspective; and
• Considered what more SAIs can do to enhance their oversight and control of the sector and contribute to enhancing the accountability of its key actors.

The workshop was invaluable in bringing together a regional group of SAIs committed to sharing diverse experiences, increasing understanding and learning lessons in auditing the Extractive Industry sector. Positive outputs from the workshop included the participant SAIs developing strategic alternatives, objectives and activities that will enhance sector control and oversight in individual countries. This is the first time that a group of SAIs have worked with a range of key partners including GIZ, AFROSAI-E and OAG Norway in developing in-country Extractive Industry strategies and audit practices.