Funded by the European Union under the Global Gateway initiative, two new public governance projects were launched on June 22 in Antananarivo. State and diplomatic officials gathered yesterday at Soarano. With a combined budget exceeding 80 billion ariary, these projects aim to strengthen transparency in public finances, modernize administration, and bring the State closer to citizens.

Greater transparency, more efficient administration, and better-organized public services. This is the ambition behind two new initiatives under the "All Accountable" program, implemented with support from the European Union, Expertise France, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Launched on June 22 at the Grand Café de la Gare Soarano, these initiatives continue a decade of European support for public governance in Madagascar.

The first project, titled "For Democratic Governance and Transparent Public Finances in Madagascar," is funded with 63.5 billion ariary and led by Expertise France. Deployed in the regions of Vakinankaratra, Haute Matsiatra, and Diana, it focuses on three main areas: more transparent public finance management, better support for local authorities, and more accessible and efficient justice.

The project is implemented with participation from the Ministries of Justice, Economy and Finance, and Interior and Decentralization.

The second project, called "Towards Digital and Accountable Administration," is led by UNOPS with funding of approximately 17 billion ariary over 36 months. It covers Antananarivo, Toamasina, Mahajanga, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara. Its objective is to accelerate modernization of the State's information systems and improve public service efficiency. Central to this transformation is AUGURE, the human resources management system for the administration, affecting nearly 230,000 civil servants.

According to Justice Minister Fanirisoa Ernaivo, these projects respond to a commitment to promote better governance and greater accountability of public institutions. She recalled that "public funds do not belong to the State, but to the Malagasy people," emphasizing they must finance infrastructure, education, health, and create a favorable investment environment.

The Keeper of the Seals also stressed strengthening control of public finances and combating embezzlement. She mentioned reports submitted to competent bodies, particularly the Independent Anti-Corruption Office (Bianco), and justice's role in monitoring cases related to mismanagement of public resources.