On June 30, 2025, the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation hosted an online seminar on "Audit of agriculture" in the framework of experience sharing with the Supreme Audit Institutions of African states.

Over 50 representatives of SAIs from 14 countries across the African continent showed a keen interest in the meeting.

Opening the seminar, Mr. Timur Makhmutov, Director of the Department for International and Regional Cooperation of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, moderator of the meeting, pointed out the critical importance of developing the agro-industrial complex and conducting audits in this sector given the growing global population and limited resources.

Ms. Inna Bazanova, Head of Inspectorate of the Department of Environmental Management and Agricultural Sector Audit, and Mr. Vladimir Petrenko, Deputy Head of Inspectorate, shared SAI Russia’s experience. They presented Russian strategic documents and state programs for agricultural development in the context of implementing the program-target method in budget management. The speakers also elaborated on the approaches to performance audits and on the tools for assessing the effects and consequences of public policy implementation in the agriculture sector.

Mr. Vladimir Petrenko highlighted current challenges related to processing large data sets during control and expert-analytical activities. He emphasized that solution lies in optimizing processes through digital audit mechanisms, currently a top priority for the Accounts Chamber.

Mr. Hocine Seddiki, President of Chamber of the Court of Accounts of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Ms. Hoda Elsaied, Head of Sector of the Accountability State Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Almamie Mankajang, Director of Performance Audit at the National Audit Office of the Republic of The Gambia, and Ms. Zamahlangu Mditshwa, Deputy Business Unit Leader at the Auditor-General of South Africa, presented international best practices at the seminar.

Colleagues from African countries spoke in detail about the specifics and approaches to sectoral audit in agriculture, national tools for agricultural production enhancement, as well as priority sectors of agro-industrial complex strengthening.

During the discussion, the participants addressed issues of digital tools use, interaction with auditees, impact of investments on the agricultural production efficiency, as well as assessing effectiveness in terms of market access and climate factors impacts.

Following the experience-sharing seminar, the participants expressed interest in further dialogue, particularly regarding real-time auditing and assessing climate risks in agriculture.