From 2 to 6 June 2025, staff from Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) across 14 countries in the European Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (EUROSAI), along with two participants from the African Organisation of English-Speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E), came together to strengthen their knowledge and skills in applying the SAI Performance Measurement Framework (SAI PMF). The occasion was an advanced SAI PMF training workshop hosted by the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI)— the third of its kind globally, following successful sessions in the ARABOSAI and ASOSAI regions.
At its core, the SAI PMF is a powerful tool. It enables SAIs to assess their strengths and weaknesses in a structured, evidence-based manner. By identifying areas of excellence and those in need of improvement, the framework offers a roadmap for meaningful institutional reform. But its impact extends beyond the walls of audit offices to support a more transparent use of public resources and ensure alignment with national priorities.
The Istanbul workshop was designed to create a ripple effect. As more SAI staff develop expertise in using the framework, they become local champions who can guide their institutions and peers towards positive change. They also contribute to a growing global network of independent reviewers, professionals who can provide impartial quality assurance when SAIs conduct self-assessments using the SAI PMF.
Throughout the week, participants shared experiences from their home countries, offering real-world context and inspiration. Some had recently completed SAI PMF assessments, while others were gearing up to start. This mix of experience levels added depth to the discussions and fostered mutual learning.
Over the five-day workshop, IDI’s manager and SAI PMF specialist Brighton Nyanga led participants through the full life cycle of a SAI PMF assessment—from planning and scoring to analysis, reporting, and publishing or sharing results. The training balanced theory with hands-on exercises and included sessions on newer developments such as repeat assessments, quality management, and how SAIs can use the framework for performance monitoring.
The discussion also spotlighted the ongoing revision of the SAI PMF itself, due to be adopted at the next INTOSAI Congress in September 2025. For many SAIs, these changes will make the framework even more relevant to the current governance challenges and reflect lessons learnt since its launch in December 2016.
The Istanbul training formed part of IDI’s wider efforts to promote more consistent and effective uptake of the SAI PMF at the regional level. This initiative is central to IDI’s global implementation strategy for 2023–2028, which emphasises sustainable, long-term use of the framework across all INTOSAI regions. By building the technical capacity of SAI staff through targeted training, IDI aims to foster a deeper understanding of the framework and enable SAIs to lead their own assessments with confidence.
This regionally driven approach helps strengthen peer-to-peer support networks, where experienced practitioners can guide and mentor others in applying the framework. Such collaboration not only reinforces learning but also contributes to a growing community of practice around SAI PMF implementation.
Looking ahead, IDI intends to roll out similar workshops in the remaining INTOSAI regions, ensuring that no region is left behind in the global effort to develop stronger, more independent, credible, and sustainable Supreme Audit Institutions.
When SAIs are equipped to assess their performance with confidence and credibility, they are better positioned to audit public funds, identify inefficiencies, and recommend meaningful improvements. This, in turn, enhances the transparency and accountability of public institutions and helps ensure that resources are used in ways that serve citizens and uphold national priorities.
By empowering SAIs to better understand and improve themselves, the SAI PMF contributes to broader transformation across the public sector. The Istanbul workshop marked an important milestone in that ongoing journey; one that has the potential to form stronger audit practices, more impactful oversight, and ultimately, more accountable governance.
As the latest training in a global series led by IDI, the workshop not only deepened technical knowledge but also helped build a network of committed professionals in EUROSAI ready to support peer learning and institutional reform.
To learn more about this initiative, check out our SAI PMF page.
From 10-15 June 2024, taking advantage of a PEFA Steering Committee meeting held in Oslo, Norway, a significant collaboration unfolded during the week between the PEFA Secretariat and the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), complementing the two-day PEFA Steering Committee meeting proceedings. This collaboration marked a milestone as an example of two custodian institutions (PEFA and SAI PMF) in the efforts to enhance public financial management globally.
The collaboration was characterised by a series of technical meetings, presentations, and a rich technical dialogue that underscored the shared commitment of both institutions to improve governance and accountability.
The technical meetings served as a cornerstone of this collaboration, providing a platform for both entities to discuss the intricacies of public financial management. These sessions were about sharing knowledge and learning from each other’s experiences and expertise. IDI and PEFA Secretariat discussed and shared experiences on common issues and problems. The IDI presented during a session of the PFEA Steering Committee meeting where the influence of PEFA in the methodological approach of the SAI PMF was expressed, and the PEFA Secretariat visited the IDI headquarters for holding technical meetings and delivered a presentation on the PEFA Gender and PEFA Climate that was the subject of great interest and stimulating discussion.
As the week of collaboration ended, reflections on the interactions and the potential long-term impacts of the collaboration became apparent. It clearly emerged that the joint efforts of the PEFA Secretariat and IDI could significantly enhance the effectiveness of public sector auditing and financial management practices worldwide and enhance the analytical value for accountability institutions. This collaboration shows the potential of collaboration in achieving common goals and the continuous pursuit of excellence in public financial management globally.
About PEFA:
The Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) program is a collaborative initiative that provides a framework for assessing the condition of a country’s public expenditure, procurement, and financial accountability systems. Established in 2001 by multiple development partners, PEFA aims to enhance the management of public finances and ensure that government spending is efficient, effective, and aligned with desired social and economic outcomes. The program uses a set of high-level indicators to identify strengths and weaknesses in public financial management (PFM), guiding reforms and monitoring their progress over time. PEFA’s assessments are critical tools for governments, international development agencies, and financial institutions to inform policy decisions, foster transparency, and support Sustainable Development Goals.
To know more about PEFA, visit https://www.pefa.org .
The IDI conducted a SAI PMF Advanced Workshop for SAIs in the ASOSAI region in Manila in June, aiming to enhance regional participation and capacity in line with the SAI PMF Implementation Strategy 2023-28
In its continued efforts to facilitate a stronger uptake of SAI PMF responsibilities at the regional level, the IDI conducted a SAI PMF Advanced Workshop for SAIs in the ASOSAI region from 4 to 7 June 2024 in Manila, the Philippines. This is in line with the SAI PMF Implementation Strategy 2023-28, which acknowledges stronger regional participation as a key success factor in the global implementation of SAI PMF.
The advanced workshop was attended by 23 participants from 11 SAIs. The IDI team of facilitators was joined by two co-facilitators, Mr Paul Jonel Jimenez Pollicar and Ms Abigael Jamille Paraiso Julao, from the host SAI of the Philippines. This is the second such workshop, the first conducted for SAIs in the ARABOSAI region in December 2023.
The workshop aims to strengthen SAI PMF capacity in the ASOSAI region (and other regions) by empowering SAI staff with extensive knowledge about SAI PMF and its application. The following topics were covered during the workshop: SAI PMF basics, lessons learnt from the implementation of the framework since 2016, quality management, report writing and introduction to new tools. In addition, the latest developments, such as revisions to the SAI PMF and the repeat assessment methodology, were covered during the workshop. The use of e-SAI PMF, an online application that supports SAIs in conducting rapid, high-quality, and efficient assessments throughout the key stages of the assessment process, was highlighted.
The IDI plans to roll out this workshop to the other INTOSAI regions, subject to the availability of resources.
To learn more about this initiative, please visit the SAI PMF webpage.
