1. IFMIS RELATED ISSUES in AFRICAN COUNTRIES. List of Anglophone countries currently developing, implementing IFMIS, and/or those in pipeline. Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Ghana, Gambia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia World Bank Funded Projects

2. IFMIS Critical ISSUES Political Support Commitment from management Ownership and a champion. Project management team. Institutional and human capacity

3. IFMIS ISSUES Functionality & Technical Functional requirement End user requirements Training strategy (Capacity) Process alignment

4. IFMIS ISSUES Application Functionality Reporting requirements Institutional & policy reforms Streamline and improve current systems and processes The control structure: document and transaction level controls, systems, access controls, financial, commitment and accounting controls.

5. IFMIS ISSUES Project Team In all cases Project Team is under- resourced Experienced project manager with public sector accounting & budgeting with IT background needed as advisor to project leader Well organized steering committee could be beneficial to the project team for guidance

6. IFMIS ISSUES Human Capacity Building Financial systems unit, AG and budget units. Development of ministry end-users capacity Management/ change management skills Facilities management arrangements Maintenance operation

7. Critical Success Factors Government commitment and management support to reform Institutional capacity and skills Proper planning and phased implementation Local technical support Identification of functional reform priorities, associated reforms and their proper sequencing. Adequacy of technology solution Sustainable support and financing of short, medium, and long term costs

8. Political (Turbulent some Increased demand for Accountability) Economic (Demand for Improved Financial Management) Social (Participation/transp arency/Service Delivery) Technical (New ICT technology, deregulation) Public Financial Management Government’s IFMIS – Conceptual Framework Internal Change Drivers Inputs Legal Structure/Staff Skills Systems/Processes Strategies Management Outputs Aggregate, Allocative, Operational Efficiency Transparency & Accountability Problems Conflicts InnovationManagement Task Environment

9. Conclusion IFMIS is a management tool, it provides information for decision making. The System must be based on well calculated and sound financial management procedures. IFMIS is not a solution to all public sector problems. Its usefulness depends upon the owner and users of the system.