Strengthening Domestic Accountability in Malawi By Integrating the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Budget

Abstract

This study identifies important lessons of experience and entry points for future reforms that aim to integrate the PRS with the budget in Malawi. The poor link between the PRS and the budget should be considered one of Malawi’s priorities for reform. Given Malawi’s daunting capacity constraints, the fragmentation of the policy cycle and the institutional responsibility for budgeting and the poverty reduction strategy, and the informality that has long pervaded the operations of the public sector, technical issues are not the most important obstacle to reform. Strong administrative and political champions who are willing and able to ensure sustainable and politically feasible change over the medium term need to be identified and supported.