Abidjan: The International Monetary Fund (IMF), supported by the Governments of Japan and Germany, has organized multiple editions of the Interregional Seminar on Public Investment Management (SEIGIP) in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa. These seminars, held in collaboration with regional technical assistance centers AFRITACs Central and West, took place in 2022, 2023, and 2025, each attracting around 60 senior officials from 21 sub-Saharan African countries.
According to Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the first SEIGIP seminar tackled Public Investment Management (PIM) challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of robust legal and institutional frameworks. It also addressed climate change by discussing methods to support climate-sensitive public investments.
The second SEIGIP, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from May 30 to June 1, 2023, continued to focus on PIM reforms. Key issues addressed included project appraisal and selection, budgeting and execution, asset management, and fiscal risks. The seminar highlighted the benefits of using multiyear budgetary authorizations and emphasized sustainable public asset management.
In Libreville, Gabon, the third SEIGIP delved deeper into the upstream phases of the PIM cycle from April 28 to 30, 2025. It focused on ex-ante evaluations, project selection, and PIM digitalization. The seminar underscored the importance of systematizing the use of ex-ante evaluations and shared best practices for project selection, including criteria specific to public-private partnerships.
The successive SEIGIPs have proven to be valuable platforms for long-term exchanges between technical assistance providers and national experts. The increasing technical complexity of the seminars, coupled with strong participatory engagement and practical exercises, has fostered a dynamic environment for learning and professional networking.
Participants of SEIGIP3 overwhelmingly reported satisfaction, with 97.7% expressing confidence in applying newly acquired skills. The seminar content was praised for its contribution to enhancing public investment quality, with 60% of participants strongly agreeing and 40% agreeing. A notable 95.6% expressed overall satisfaction, and the tutorials received a 91.1% positive appreciation.
Looking ahead, SEIGIP 4 is scheduled to take place from January 26 to 30, 2026, in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The IMF plans to extend the seminar duration to four and a half days to allow for more in-depth training and practical exercises, as well as the dissemination of best practices.