By Ncaba Ntshakala
Great news for Eswatini!
Auditor General Timothy Matsebula has taken on the esteemed role of Chairperson of the African Union Board of External Auditors (AU BoEA) for the 2025-2026 period, which was hailed as an impeccable milestone in Eswatini’s engagement within continental audit leadership.
The AU BoEA, a high-ranking body comprising Heads of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from AU Member States, holds the mandate to audit the African Union’s financial statements and its various organs.
ccording to a government statement, Matsebula’s ascension to this position highlights not only the expertise of SAI Eswatini but also the growing recognition of its contributions to accountability and transparency in African governance.
Matsebula was unanimously elected Chairperson during the AU BoEA meeting held on January 22, 2025, at the African Court for Human and People’s Rights in Arusha, Tanzania.
This historic election marks the first time since 2015 that a non-permanent member of the Board has been entrusted with the chairmanship. SAI Eswatini succeeds the Accountability State Authority of Egypt.
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SAI Eswatini, representing the Southern Region in the AU BoEA, was elected for a second consecutive term from 2024 to 2026, highlighting its sustained relevance and competence in the audit landscape.
This period has seen the institution solidify its role as a pivotal contributor to the Board’s objectives. During the meeting, members of the AU BoEA displayed a unified front, affirming their trust in SAI Eswatini’s leadership by electing it unopposed to the chairmanship, an endorsement rarely observed in similar contexts.
The meeting was physically attended by representatives from South Africa, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, and Egypt. Permanent members of the Board, including South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, and Morocco, were joined by non-permanent members such as Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Together, these representatives span the diverse regions of the African Union membership, each contributing unique perspectives to the Board’s deliberations.
Upon accepting the nomination, Matsebula emphasized the importance of unity, collaboration, and active participation among Board members.
“I am a firm believer that engagement, collaboration, and transparency are critical to our success,” Matsebula stated.
“So, I really look forward to the continuous and meaningful engagement with every member of this Board over the years in office.
I invite each of you to engage actively in our discussions, share your insights, and contribute to the development of our strategies.”
He further highlighted the collective responsibility of the Board in shaping the future of the AU BoEA. “Let us forge a path that reflects our shared vision and values, one that prioritizes excellence and cooperation.
Your voices will be invaluable in shaping the direction we take and the impact we make,” he added.
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The chairmanship of the AU BoEA is recognized as a position of great international repute within the audit fraternity.
The Board serves as the apex authority for auditing the financial statements of the African Union and its various organs.
Its mandate, derived from Rule 97 of the African Union Financial Rules (FRs), tasks the Board with ensuring rigorous oversight and accountability.
In line with Rule 98(7), the Board submits its audit reports to the Executive Council through the Subcommittee of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) on Audit Matters.
Furthermore, under Matsebula’s leadership, the Board is expected to continue upholding its commitment to transparency and accountability, values that resonate strongly with the broader objectives of the African Union.
Adding to SAI Eswatini’s responsibilities, Deputy Auditor General Timothy Masuku has been appointed to chair the Audit Operations Committee (AOC), a key partner of the AU BoEA in executing its audit functions
