Evaluation of Budget Practices of Ethiopia in Comparison with Two East African Countries
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess similarities and differences between Ethiopia and two east
African countries with respect to budget practices and procedures. The study focused on the
different phases of budget cycle and cross cutting issues such as budget transparency and
participations. To conduct the study qualitative research method was employed. In order to
investigate significant insight about budget transparency and participation in Ethiopia the
researcher distributed questionnaires to employees of Ministry of Finance and Economic
development of Ethiopia, specifically in the budgeting department. The study was based on
secondary data sources which were collected on-line on the internet. The study indicates various
opportunities which improve budget transparency and participation. The result of the study
revealed that the level of transparency with regard to full disclosure of all relevant budget
information is very poor in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. Relatively Ethiopia frequently
publicizes budget information. It also showed that the need to increase transparency is important
in the area which is broadly linked to the different phases of budget cycle so as to increase
citizens’ participation in the budget decisions. Moreover, public participation in the budget
process is very limited in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. This is because of lack of reliable and
adequate information. The findings of survey which were carried out with budget experts at the
ministry of finance and economic development of Ethiopia disclose that budget information is
not available for citizens in accessible, timely and clear and easy to use manner, except very
little budget information during budget drafting phase. The major factors that limit citizen
participation in the budget process are limited accessibility to budget information, budget
language and country population.
Key words: Budget transparency & Budget participation
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Keywords
Budget transparency & Budget participation