The Guinean government's budget execution rates for several ministries have been reported as 0% in the revised 2026 budget law. According to the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget, Mariama Ciré Sylla, these rates do not necessarily mean that no investments were made in the sectors. The 0% rates are mainly due to government reorganizations, including mergers and divisions of ministerial departments.
The minister explained that the reorganization of ministries, such as the merger of the Ministry of Technical Education with the Ministry of National Education, has changed the way budget credits are tracked and presented. As a result, some ministries show 0% execution rates, even if investments were made. For example, the Ministry of Technical Education, now merged with the Ministry of National Education, has an overall credit execution rate of over 29%.
Sylla also cited the example of the Ministry of Sports, which was formed from the merger with the Ministry of Youth, and has an investment execution rate of over 17%. She emphasized that the 0% rates do not accurately reflect the reality of the sectors and that efforts are needed to accelerate investments. The minister also announced that the government has settled 325 billion Guinean francs in payment arrears for the restructured departments, excluding personnel expenses.
To improve the presentation of budget data, Sylla said that her ministry will work on consolidating and clarifying the correspondences between old and new ministerial structures. This will involve distinguishing between commitment, ordering, and payment rates. The goal is to provide better readability of the figures transmitted to parliament and to accelerate the execution of investment projects for the benefit of the population.
Sylla stressed that the evaluation of ministerial performance should not be limited to financial indicators. Instead, the focus should be on the concrete realization of projects and their impact on the lives of Guineans. She noted that the government is aware of the difficulties in reading the changes in budget data presentation and is working to address them.
The minister's explanations aim to address concerns raised during parliamentary discussions on the revised budget law. The government's efforts to improve budget execution and transparency are crucial for the effective implementation of public investments and the realization of development projects in Guinea.
The revised budget law and the government's explanations on budget execution rates have provided insight into the challenges faced by Guinean ministries. The situation highlights the need for continued efforts to improve budget management, transparency, and accountability in the country. Key initiatives, such as the consolidation of budget data and the settlement of payment arrears, demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing these challenges.
Key points
- The Guinean government's budget execution rates for several ministries have been reported as 0% due to restructuring.
- The minister of economy, finance, and budget, Mariama Ciré Sylla, attributes the 0% rates to government reorganizations.
- The government has settled 325 billion Guinean francs in payment arrears for the restructured departments.
