The Ministry of Innovation & Technology is under scrutiny after an audit revealed lapses in project management and financial oversight. This raised questions about governance standards within a Ministry central to the country's tech-driven growth ambitions. According to the Federal Auditor General, the Ministry has completed only 11pc of its planned projects with its overall financial administration standing at 37.4pc for a year-long project that commenced in 2022. Budget mismanagement and persistent project delays were discovered as major factors behind the poor performance, prompting Parliamentary committee chairs to demand explanations from senior Ministry officials. The audit's detailed review of financial practices painted an alarming picture. Among the irregularities were unauthorised contracts amounting to 8.4 million dollars and discrepancies of 1.6 million Br in payroll records. These financial missteps have drawn attention from policymakers and experts, heightening accountability concerns. Further complicating matters was the diversion of 50.2 million Br originally intended for a local project to an international company. The shift not only raised red flags about financial oversight but also brought into question the transparency of international transactions handled by the Ministry. Minister Belete Molla defended the transaction, insisting that all actions adhered strictly to established financial protocols, though scepticism persisted on the federal legislative floors. The audit findings have broader economic implications as Ethiopia strives toward innovation-led development. Federal legislators demanded that the Ministry submit a detailed remedial action plan within 15 days, pressing the urgency of improving management and accountability.
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