The Economic Governance program is dedicated to fortifying economic policies and institutions to drive the economic transformation of Africa, with a particular focus on Eastern and Southern African economies. The program places significant emphasis on effectively implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa Vision 2063, ultimately striving for the middle-income status of regional countries.

Program Objectives:

The program operates on two fundamental pillars. Firstly, it aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public expenditure through transparent and accountable public financial management. This, in turn, ensures that citizens have access to high-quality public services. Secondly, the program seeks to improve capacities for local economic development at the grassroots level, fostering economic opportunities, especially for marginalized groups such as women and youth. The strategic objective of the program is to strengthen public finance management and increase economic opportunities for women, men, and youth. This will be achieved through:

• Greater Transparency and Accountability in Public Financial Management: Reviewing PFM policies and practices, strengthening institutional capacities, empowering citizens to participate effectively, and deepening citizen-government engagement.
• Enhanced Capacities for Local Economic Development: Reviewing economic policies, frameworks, and performance; build capacities for local government and the private sector to undertake LED; and economic empowerment of men, women, and youth.
• Transparency and Citizen Participation in Trade Policy Formulation: Reviewing national and regional trade policies and instruments; Facilitating trade policy debates at national and regional levels; Strengthening the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the private sector to participate in trade policy formulation; and Deepening engagement among actors at national and regional levels, including government MDAs, private sector, and regional trade blocs.

Rationale:

The work on transparency and accountability in public financial management is based on the recognition that transparency varies in Uganda, with an emphasis on revenue mobilization, while public debt and investment management lack transparency. The program aims to bridge the gaps between demand and supply sides of accountability. In the area of Local Economic Development, the program addresses the persistent poverty and growing income inequality resulting from limited economic opportunities. It seeks to overcome capacity limitations, especially among women and youth, through strategic interventions.

The interest in trade policy stems from its potential to impact economic opportunities. However, the lack of participation and transparency in trade policy formulation hinders the exploitation of available opportunities. The program aims to address these challenges at both national and regional levels. By aligning with the overarching goals of the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa Vision 2063, the Economic Governance program aspires to make meaningful contributions to the economic transformation and prosperity of the region.