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VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE – The Organisation of Public Accounts Committees of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADCOPAC) has said harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation enhances financial accountability and governance.
This was revealed by Hon Alice Nomvula Ponco, the SADCOPAC Vice Chairperson during the 57th Plenary Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum resort city of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe today.
The Plenary session is running from the 31st of May to the 7th of June 2025 under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Enhancing Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Opportunities and Challenges.”
“SADCOPAC believes that the SADC PF and SADCOPAC share a similar vision and mission. SADCOPAC aims at strengthening good governance and promoting transparency through mutual support, knowledge, and experience sharing among Public Accounts Committees (PACs) as a means of enhancing oversight. SADCOPAC is a voluntary organization that was established in 2003 and is composed of Public Accounts or similar Committees representing thirteen (13) SADC parliaments.
“As SADCOPAC, we firmly believe that, regional and continental cooperation is indispensable in strengthening the oversight role of Parliaments and Public Accounts Committees (PACs). We are confident that harnessing AI and innovation enhances financial accountability and governance,” Hon Ponco said.
Doing so results in robust legislative frameworks, including the full adoption and implementation of the SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management. It leads to sustained political will to modernize oversight mechanisms and close accountability gaps; and promotes strategic partnerships, such as the SADCOPAC’s MoU with SADC PF, which commits the two institutions to joint capacity-building, knowledge exchange, and technological innovation for PACs.
Hon Ponco added that the theme resonated deeply with the shared commitment to modernize governance, enhance transparency, and strengthen oversight—principles enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SADCOPAC and SADC PF, signed on 21st February 2022.
The MoU underscored the collaborative resolve to:
- Strengthen Public Accounts Committees (PACs) across SADC, ensuring robust oversight of public finances;
- Promote the ratification and domestication of key instruments, such as the SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management, to harmonize accountability standards;
- Share knowledge and innovations, including AI-driven tools, to improve efficiency in parliamentary processes;
- Advocate for the implementation of SADC protocols.
- Conduct joint capacity-building initiatives to empower legislators and auditors in safeguarding public resources.
“As we explore AI’s transformative potential, let us also address its challenges—ethical implications, data security, and equitable access—to ensure innovation aligns with our democratic values. SADCOPAC stands ready to collaborate with SADC PF in piloting AI solutions that enhance budget tracking, audit automation, and citizen engagement, thereby deepening accountability.
“I commend SADC PF for its leadership and reaffirm SADCOPAC’s commitment to our MoU’s objectives. Together, we can harness technology to fortify parliamentary oversight, accelerate regional integration, and deliver tangible benefits to the citizens of SADC,” Hon Ponco said.
