Libreville: The IMF, in collaboration with the financial support of Japan and Germany and regional technical assistance centers AFRITACs Central and West, has successfully organized three editions of the Interregional Seminar on Public Investment Management (SEIGIP) in the years 2022, 2023, and 2025 across Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa. These seminars have played a crucial role in evaluating the impact of IMF capacity development and the potential of South-South cooperation.
According to Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the SEIGIP seminars gathered approximately 60 senior officials from 21 sub-Saharan African countries, predominantly Francophone, providing a platform to tackle Public Investment Management (PIM) challenges, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first seminar emphasized the importance of robust legal and institutional frameworks and discussed strategies for addressing climate change-sensitive public investments.
The second SEIGIP, held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from May 30 to June 1, 2023, continued the discourse on PIM reforms. It addressed critical issues such as project appraisal and selection, budgeting and execution, asset management, and fiscal risks. The seminar highlighted the necessity of multiyear budgetary authorizations and the strategic management of public assets.
The third edition, conducted in Libreville, Gabon, from April 28-30, 2025, focused on the upstream phases of the PIM cycle. Key topics included ex-ante evaluation to enhance project selection, best practices for project selection, and the digitalization of PIM processes to align with budgetary information systems.
The successive SEIGIP seminars underscore the importance of long-term exchanges involving technical assistance providers and national experts. Participants exhibited increased technical proficiency, reflecting a growing understanding of the subjects through IMF's sustained support. The seminars have also fostered robust participatory discussions, practical exercises, and professional networking opportunities.
Feedback from SEIGIP3 indicated that 97.7% of participants felt confident in applying the acquired knowledge and skills, with 95.6% expressing overall satisfaction. The enthusiasm was further evidenced by 91.1% positive appreciation for the tutorials. These insights reveal the pivotal role of SEIGIP in enhancing the quality of public investments.
Looking ahead, there is a recognized need to consolidate this momentum by extending the seminar duration to four and a half days, allowing for more comprehensive practical exercises and the dissemination of best practices. The next SEIGIP is scheduled for January 26-30, 2026, in Nouakchott, Mauritania.