By Fatima Saka
The Senate and House of Representative Joint Committee on Cooperation integration in Africa and NEPAD
has acknowledged the agency’s crucial role in Africa’s development and urged its leadership to provide all relevant correspondence with the Ministry of Finance regarding exemptions from the envelope budget system for its interventions.
The committee also recommended a more comprehensive budget presentation from NEPAD in the future.
This development follows an appeal from the National Coordinator of the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), Hon. Jabiru Salisu Tsauri, for greater collaboration between the legislature and the executive to fast-track the passage of the NEPAD Bill.
Speaking during the 2025 budget defense session on Friday, Tsauri emphasized that executive sponsorship of the bill would accelerate its approval, enabling the agency to effectively fulfill its mandate.
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Appearing before the Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, chaired by Senator Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura, Tsauri highlighted the operational constraints NEPAD faces due to the bill’s delayed passage. While appreciating the committee’s support during the 2024 fiscal year, he pointed out that the envelope budgeting system continues to limit the agency’s capacity to fully implement its programs.
The committee has approved NEPAD’s proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year, expressing confidence in the agency’s ability to manage its operations effectively under the allocated financial plan.
