KIGALI - The Eastern and Southern African Association of Accountants (ESAAG), a forum of Accountant Generals from Eastern and Southern Africa is slated to convene its 16th annual conference in Kigali on Monday 23 this month.

The 4-day event is organized in conjunction with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. It is expected to bring together Accountant Generals as well as varied senior and middle level representatives from ESAAG member countries at Kigali Serena Hotel.

The Kigali meeting to be held under the theme "Achieving excellence in service delivery through Public Financial Management Reforms” will also be attended by development partners, representatives from the Private Sector and top government officials.

The Minister of Finance James Musoni is expected to deliver a keynote address on the opening day, while several other prominent speakers from within Africa and outside the continent, will give technical presentations on topical issues relevant to the member countries during this high level meeting, a statement from the Ministry reveals.

ESAAG formed in 1991 as an association bringing together Accountant Generals from the region, is aimed at assisting member states to improve government accounting systems in order to produce financial statements according to international standards.

Among other things, the body is charged with the task of contributing to the improvement of democratic processes through transparency and accountability, as well as strengthening the accountancy profession in governments.

The Kigali meeting is also expected to come up with reforms that will help government accounts bodies to develop a clearly codified set of rules and regulations that govern their operations. It will also encourage member states to review their legal frameworks to support the rules and regulations.

The ESSAG annual conference is an opportunity for participants to discuss a wide range of topics relating to public financial management issues, economic management, corruption, governance and accountability, accounting and auditing standards among others.

ESAAG usually holds its annual conferences on a rotational basis among its member states namely; Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Swaziland, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

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