WHAT IS AN-PBO
The African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices is a pan-African collaborative platform that unifies, supports, and advances the critical work of Parliamentary Budget Offices throughout the continent.
Founded in 2016, AN-PBO emerged from the recognition that African parliaments needed stronger institutional capacity for fiscal oversight and that collective learning could accelerate the development of effective budget analysis capabilities across the continent.
AN-PBO serves as both a professional network and a capacity-building institution, providing a structured framework for PBOs to collaborate, share best practices, and develop innovative approaches to parliamentary budget scrutiny.
The network is open to all parliamentary budget analysis units—including national PBOs, regional budget offices, and similar legislative fiscal institutions—that are committed to enhancing the quality and impact of parliamentary budget oversight in Africa.
Empowering
African
Parliaments
OUR MISSION
To provide independent, professional, and objective fiscal analysis and advisory services that empower African parliaments to conduct robust budget oversight, effectively evaluate government fiscal policies, and ensure accountable, transparent, and development-oriented use of public resources.
OUR VISION
To be Africa's leading network for parliamentary fiscal expertise, championing strong, well-equipped legislatures that hold governments accountable for fiscal management and drive the continent's inclusive and sustainable development.
ACHIEVEMENTS ( WHY AN-PBO MATTERS )
Challenges Faced by African Legislatures
Limited Technical Capacity
Insufficient expertise in fiscal analysis, econometric modelling, and budget evaluation
Inadequate Resources
Small budgets and staff complements that constrain analytical capabilities
Information Asymmetries
Governments typically have vastly greater analytical resources than legislatures
Insufficient Access to Fiscal Expertise
Difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified fiscal analysts
Data Access Challenges
Struggles to obtain timely, comprehensive, and reliable fiscal data from governments
How AN-PBO Addresses These Challenges
Building Continental Capacity
Creating a shared pool of knowledge, expertise, and analytical tools that individual PBOs can draw upon to strengthen their capabilities
Promoting Best Practices
Facilitating the transfer of proven methodologies and innovations across different national contexts, preventing offices from independently solving problems others have already addressed
Amplifying Impact
Strengthening the collective voice of African PBOs in regional and international fiscal policy discussions, enabling parliaments to engage governments from positions of technical strength
Contextualizing Solutions
Ensuring that budget oversight approaches reflect African realities, priorities, and development challenges rather than solely relying on imported models
OUR CORE VALUES
HOW WE
WORK,
WHAT WE
STAND FOR
Independence and Non-Partisanship
AN-PBO and its member offices maintain strict independence from political influence and partisan considerations. Analysis and advice are based solely on evidence, technical merit, and professional judgment
Objectivity and Integrity
The network upholds the highest standards of intellectual honesty, analytical rigor, and ethical conduct. All work is conducted with objectivity, accuracy, and commitment to truth
Professionalism and Excellence
AN-PBO promotes continuous professional development, technical excellence, and the application of international best practices adapted to African contexts. Quality and competence are paramount in all network activities
Transparency and Accountability
The network operates transparently, communicates clearly with stakeholders, and maintains accountability to member PBOs, parliaments, and the African public. This includes transparent decision-making processes and open sharing of information
Innovation and Adaptability
AN-PBO encourages creative problem-solving, technological innovation, and adaptive approaches that respond to evolving fiscal challenges and opportunities across the continent
Collaboration and Solidarity
The network fosters a spirit of mutual support, collective learning, and pan-African solidarity. Member offices are encouraged to share freely, learn from each other, and work together to address common challenges
African Solutions for African Challenges
While learning from international experience, AN-PBO prioritizes the development of approaches, methodologies, and solutions that are grounded in African realities and responsive to the continent's unique development imperatives
VALUES
THAT UNITE
THE
CONTINENT
OUR HISTORY
A JOURNEY ACROSS AFRICA
SIXTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Kenyan conference was one of the largest and most impactful to date, featuring extensive technical workshops, high-level participation from parliamentary leadership across Africa, and significant international partner engagement. Key themes included promoting citizen participation, enhancing fiscal transparency, and strengthening PBO institutional frameworks
IMPACT & STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE
Strengthening
Democratic
Governance
PBOs enable legislatures to move beyond rubber-stamping executive proposals and instead engage in meaningful, informed scrutiny
Equalizing Information Asymmetries
Leveling the playing field between governments and legislatures.
Promoting Government Accountability
Encouraging accurate fiscal information and rigorous justification of spending.
Enhancing Legislative Effectiveness
Enabling committees to identify risks and propose evidence-based amendments