A new study commissioned by Ethiopia's Office of the Federal Auditor General has found that audit irregularities have increased steadily from 2009 to 2023, due to weak enforcement and poor follow-up. Researchers from Addis Ababa University attribute the issues to limited accountability, especially during political transitions. They call for greater independence for the auditor general's office and audits of key sectors like digital projects.
The study, presented on October 18, 2025, at Getfam Hotel in Addis Ababa, examined audit reports spanning 2009 to 2023. Commissioned by the Office of the Federal Auditor General (OFAG) and led by independent researchers from Addis Ababa University, it highlights a year-on-year rise in irregularities driven by unresolved legacy issues and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Key factors include limited accountability, inadequate follow-up on findings, and reduced audit coverage during political transitions and election periods. The report points to high staff turnover at OFAG, caused by low salaries and restricted institutional autonomy, as a major barrier to effective oversight.
Recommendations urge granting OFAG full financial, administrative, and operational independence. The researchers also press the Ministry of Finance to bolster control systems and enforce measures against identified irregularities. They advocate auditing previously overlooked sectors, such as digital and service delivery initiatives.
“Initiatives like Moseb and Digital Ethiopia must also be audited, why not?” said Temesgen Wroku (PhD), the research team leader and a veteran scholar in accounting and finance. He warned that without action on audit findings, persistent problems would continue.
The presentation drew Auditor General Meseret Damtie, regional auditors, and Yeshimebet Demissie (PhD), chair of the Standing Committee for Public Expenditure Administration and Control Affairs. Demissie described the study as a vital call for institutional self-reflection, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to enhance public financial management in Ethiopia.