Lesotho has turned to Kenya for lessons on public financial management, revenue mobilisation and public-private partnerships as the southern African kingdom moves to strengthen its public finance systems.
Lesotho’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, led a delegation that held talks with Kenya’s National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi during a courtesy visit to the Treasury.
The delegation is in Kenya for peer learning and knowledge exchange, with a focus on Kenya’s experience in implementing public financial management (PFM) reforms.
The discussions also covered revenue mobilisation and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), areas that Lesotho is seeking to strengthen as it advances its public finance reform agenda.
Mbadi said the engagement demonstrated the importance of regional cooperation in enabling African countries to share experiences and strengthen public institutions.
He noted that exchanging experiences between countries can help governments develop reforms that support sustainable economic development.
The delegation was accompanied by UNDP Lesotho Resident Representative Jacquiy Olweya.
Kenya has in recent years pursued reforms aimed at improving public participation in budgeting, financial management and the use of digital systems in government. A recent analysis by the Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative highlighted ongoing changes in Kenya’s PFM system, including efforts to integrate procurement and financial management systems and make budget information more accessible to citizens.