Zimbabwe has improved its ranking for budget transparency and inclusiveness as measured by the Open Budget Survey (OBS).The country is ranked 30th out of 125 countries assessed, or third in sub-Saharan Africa, behind South Africa and Benin.Its score of 63 out of 100 puts Zimbabwe 18 points above the global average of 45 out of 100.Run by the International Budget Partnership (IPB), the OBS is conducted every two years.Zimbabwe’s score has been improving since 2017. The OBS 2023 review of Zimbabwe found that the country had improved the availability of budget information by increasing the amount of information contained in the mid-year review.However, it has reduced the information provided in the enacted budget.The finance ministry was also marked down (22/100) for lack of public participation in the budget process, although some progress has been made.Neighbouring South Africa scores 35 and Zambia 26.The global average is 15.The survey found that there was “adequate” oversight of the budget by parliament during the planning stage, but weak oversight during implementation. ER
