Our June 2020 video “Improving PFM digital transparency in SIDS finance ministries” examined finance ministries (MoFs) use of digital platforms such as websites and social media to provide public financial management (PFM) related information in small island developing states (SIDS). In this “Global SIDS PFM digital transparency update December 2020” video recent SIDS PFM digital transparency trends are examined on a regional and country basis.

Regional PFM digital transparency analysis

Global SIDS PFM digital transparency trends have been analysed using the following regional classifications for countries where MoF websites were active:

• Africa/Asia/Middle East (7 countries)

• Caribbean (18 countries)

• Pacific (11 countries)

Non-active SIDS MoF websites in the 2020 September quarter in the above-mentioned regions were as follows:

• Africa/Asia/MiddleEast (3 countries)

• Caribbean (11 countries)

• Pacific (8 countries)

Charts for the following indicators are presented:

• MoF website penetration levels for the 2020 March and September quarters. The figures used in these charts were obtained using a two-step process. Actual visit data for the March and September 2020 quarters was annualised to provide projections of estimated 2020 visits. The resulting 2020 annual MoF website visit projections were divided by the number of country internet users to obtain MoF website penetration levels.

• Domestic and non-resident visits to MoF websites for the 2020 March and September quarters; these charts reflect the percentage of visits to MoF websites attributable to local residents and non-residents in the 2020 March and September quarters based on actual visit data.

• Rates of change in MoF website visits; this data is based on changes to MoF visit levels between the 2020 March and September quarters. 

• MoF Facebook penetration levels as at June 2020 and October 2020; these figures were obtained by dividing actual MoF Facebook follower numbers by the number of country Facebook subscribers.

• Changes in Facebook follower numbers between June 2020 and October 2020; these charts reflect changes in the respective MoF Facebook follower numbers.

• MoF Twitter penetration levels as at October 2020; these figures were obtained by dividing actual MoF Twitter follower numbers by the number of country Twitter subscribers.

• Changes in Twitter follower numbers between June 2020 and October 2020; these charts reflect changes in the respective MoF Twitter follower numbers.

The above-mentioned regional analyses are also available here:

• Africa/Asia/Middle East

• Caribbean

• Pacific

Key regional analysis findings

Some of our key findings from the regional analysis are as follows:

• Increases were recorded in SIDS overall regional MoF penetration scores for SIDS MoF websites, SIDS Facebook followers and SIDS Twitter followers. This growth is partially attributable to MoF posts relating to COVID-19 topics. 

• A material increase in the SIDS Caribbean MoF Twitter follower penetration score contributed to strong growth in the SIDS overall regional Twitter follower penetration score.

• The increased interest in MoF digital platforms also resulted in material increases in the proportion of MoF website visits attributable to local residents and a consequent reduction in the proportion of MoF website visits attributable to non-residents. This trend was particularly evident in the Pacific where there was strong growth in Papua New Guinea MoF local resident visits.

• In four of the SIDS countries with MoF Facebook pages, the number of Facebook followers exceeded estimated 2020 MoF website visits demonstrating the role social media can play in boosting transparency about SIDS MoF activities.

SIDS country PFM digital transparency analysis

SIDS PFM digital transparency trends have also been analysed for the 36 countries examined in the above-mentioned regional analysis.

Country charts presenting the following PFM digital transparency indicators are available:

• MoF website penetration levels for the 2020 September quarter. The figures used in these charts were obtained using a two-step process. Actual visit data for the September 2020 quarter was annualised to provide projections of estimated 2020 visits. The resulting 2020 annual MoF website visit projections were divided by the number of country internet users to obtain MoF website penetration levels.

• Domestic and non-resident visits to MoF websites for the 2020 September quarter; these charts reflect the percentage of visits to MoF websites attributable to local residents and non-residents in the 2020 September quarter based on actual visit data.

• MoF Facebook penetration levels as at October 2020; these figures were obtained by dividing actual MoF Facebook follower numbers by the number of country Facebook subscribers.

• MoF Twitter penetration levels as at October 2020; these figures were obtained by dividing actual MoF Twitter follower numbers by the number of country Twitter subscribers.

Each country chart presents the following results for each indicator: the available country results, the average regional score and the average score for all SIDS countries where a MoF website was available.

Analyses of trends in key country PFM digital transparency indicators are also available here:

• Africa/Asia/Middle East

• Caribbean

• Pacific

by John Leonardo

Introduction

This note provides an introduction to our “Improving PFM digital transparency in African finance ministries” presentation which is also available as a video. Transparency of public finances is a key element of a public financial management (PFM) system enabling public scrutiny of government actions and intentions.  Transparency of public finances is achieved by providing information on PFM which is comprehensive, consistent, and accessible to users.

Ministries of Finance (MoFs) play a leading role in promoting transparency of public finances. The World Bank’s September 2020 report “Enhancing Government Effectiveness and Transparency – The Fight Against Corruption” has highlighted the importance of ensuring greater transparency in government operations.

Transparency is an important factor in African public financial management (PFM) in view of historically relatively weak PFM in many African countries, including transparency activities, and relatively poor recent progress in curbing corruption. 

PFM digital transparency

In a PFM context, digital transparency can be defined as the process of providing PFM related information using digital platforms such as websites and social media; for example, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. PFM digital transparency should be an important part of African MoFs’ digital government strategies.

Currently African MoFs employ PFM digital transparency practices using a range of platforms such as websites and social media (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, LinkedIn). They publish a range of PFM and related material on the latter platforms.

Current PFM digital transparency trends analysis

We have examined MoF website, Facebook and Twitter use to obtain an understanding of Africa MoFs’ current use of digital platforms.

The following statistics are presented and reviewed in the presentation:

• Country internet usage

• MoF website visits during May/July 2020 and projected annualised visits for 2020

• Domestic and non-resident visits to MoF websites

• Country Facebook usage

• MoF Facebook page follower numbers

• Country Twitter usage

• MoF Twitter follower numbers

We have also examined penetration levels for MoF website users, Facebook and Twitter followers to demonstrate the level of usage of these digital platforms. In addition, we have identified correlations that may exist between digital platform use and leading economic and governance indicators including those relating to e-government.

Some key findings

Some of our key findings from our analysis are as follows:

• Six of the twenty-five MoFs with Facebook pages had higher Facebook follower numbers than estimated 2020 MoF visits to the respective websites demonstrating the role that MoF Facebook pages can play in boosting PFM transparency

• MoF social media content approaches differ quite markedly with MoFs generally publishing a wider range of material on their Facebook pages compared with the material included in tweets on Twitter.

• African MoF social media activity is helping to raise awareness about African MoFs’ PFM activities. Some African MoFs have generated considerable interest in their activities using social media.

• The proportion of non-domestic visitors to MoF websites varies considerably demonstrating how digital structures enable reach to the diaspora and other international stakeholders

• Use of digital communication mechanisms to strengthen African MoFs’ operational capacity and support PFM reform plans have to date  been limited prior to the onset of COVID-19

• African MOFs overall progress to date in the use of digital platforms to promote transparency has been relatively modest

Recommendations

We recommend African MoFs should take advantage of the opportunities provided by digital platforms to improve their PFM digital transparency by:

• Addressing identified PEFA transparency gaps which will result in more PFM material being published

• Establishing Facebook pages if these are not already in place

• Posting a variety of PFM related information on Facebook pages to increase community interaction and promote transparency

• Preparing PFM digital transparency action plans to improve PFM digital transparency performance and support PFM reform activities.

We have also outlined the nature of the tasks that should be included in PFM digital transparency action plans.

Regional analyses of trends in key PFM digital transparency indicators for all 45 African finance ministries are available for:

Central Africa

East Africa

North Africa

Southern Africa

West Africa