Course Summary:

This course, delivered by Magna Skills, is a specialized program designed for senior officials of the Office of the Accountant General, Republic of Somaliland. It equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to harness technology in strengthening Public Financial Management (PFM) systems. In an era where digital transformation is reshaping fiscal governance, participants will gain hands-on exposure to GovTech innovations, including Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS), e-payments, e-procurement, data analytics, blockchain, AI applications, and digital inclusion tools.

The course will bridge financial governance with cutting-edge technology, ensuring participants understand both the opportunities and challenges of digitizing PFM. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and simulations, participants will develop strategies to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in financial operations. By the end of the program, they will be able to lead reforms, implement digital systems, and apply global best practices tailored to the Somaliland public finance context.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of PFM and how digital transformation reshapes financial governance.

2. Apply financial technologies such as FMIS, e-payments, and data analytics to budgeting, procurement, auditing, and revenue collection.

3. Evaluate the role of GovTech in enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in public finance.

4. Mitigate cybersecurity, compliance, and change management risks associated with adopting digital financial systems.

5. Design context-specific strategies and action plans to implement or upgrade digital financial management tools in Somaliland.

Course Outline

1. Public Sector Finance & Digital Transformation

• Overview of PFM principles and practices.

• Global and regional GovTech innovations and trends.

2. Digital Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Transitioning from traditional to digital budgeting systems.

• Performance-based and automated forecasting tools.

3. Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS)

• Architecture, components, and integration of FMIS.

• Practical challenges and solutions in system implementation.

4. E-Payments & Digital Revenue Collection

• Mobile money, QR codes, and e-wallets in government finance.

• Enhancing compliance and inclusivity through digital revenue tools.

5. Digital Procurement & E-Government Platforms

• E-tendering and open contracting systems.

• Enhancing competition, transparency, and citizen oversight.

6. Data Analytics for Financial Decision-Making

• Using dashboards and visualization tools for fiscal oversight.

• Predictive analytics for risk management and performance tracking.

7. Cybersecurity & Data Governance in Public Finance

• Managing cyber threats and data protection in government finance.

• Compliance with national and international standards.

8. Emerging Technologies: Blockchain, AI & Smart Contracts

• Blockchain for transparency and audit trails.

• AI-driven solutions for fraud detection and service delivery.

9. Digital Financial Inclusion & Citizen Engagement

• Participatory budgeting through civic-tech tools.

• Mobile platforms for citizen reporting and accountability.

10. Case Studies, Strategy Development & Action Planning

• Global case studies of successful public fintech initiatives.

• Group exercises to design Somaliland-specific finance reform strategies.