Transparency (Open Budget Index) 47/100
The Government of Botswana provides the public with limited budget information.
Public Participation 19/100
The Government of Botswana is weak in providing the public with opportunities to engage in the budget process.
Budget Oversight
By legislature 70/100
Budget oversight by the legislature in Botswana is adequate.
By auditor 100/100
Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in Botswana is adequate.
Recommendations
Improving Transparency
Botswana should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:
- Publish In-Year Reports and a Mid-Year Review.
- Increase the comprehensiveness of the Executive’s Budget Proposal by presenting the classification of expenditures for future years and the classification of revenues for future years.
- Increase the comprehensiveness of the Year-End Report by presenting information on planned versus actual macroeconomic forecasts and information on planned versus actual performance.
Improving Participation
Botswana should prioritize the following actions to improve budget participation:
- Provide detailed feedback on how public perspectives have been captured and taken into account.
- Hold legislative hearings on the budgets of specific ministries, departments, and agencies as well as on audit reports at which testimony from the public is heard.
- Establish formal mechanisms for the public to assist the supreme audit institution to formulate its audit program.
Improving Oversight
Botswana should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:
- Establish a specialized budget research office for the legislature.
- Ensure the legislature holds a pre-budget debate and the outcome is reflected in the Enacted Budget.
- Establish regular consultations on budget matters between the executive and the legislature.