Addis Ababa Grants Auditors Power to Trace Public Assets Back 10 Years in New Directive
The Addis Ababa City Administration has expanded the legal reach of public asset audits, allowing investigators to examine records dating back up to 10 years in cases of suspected misconduct, as it rolls out a stricter oversight framework for government property management.
The new system, introduced under Directive No 190/2026 and signed by Yesuf Ebrahim Shifaw, General Manager of the Government Property Administration Authority, establishes a risk-based audit structure, tighter reporting timelines and expanded accountability measures across city institutions.
The directive reflects a push by the city government to strengthen control over public assets and reduce losses linked to weak documentation and governance gaps in state-managed property systems.
Under the framework, audit intensity will vary according to asset risk and value. High-value or high-risk assets will be subject to full coverage audits of 100 percent of records. Medium-tier office properties will be reviewed through sampling of 60 percent to 70 percent of records, while low-value but high-volume assets will be assessed using 40 percent to 50 percent sampling.
Routine audits will generally be limited to the past two fiscal years. However, where there is credible evidence of fraud or criminal wrongdoing, auditors will be empowered to extend investigations up to a 10-year period.
The directive also introduces strict compliance timelines for both auditors and public institutions. Audit offices are required to issue final reports within seven working days after exit discussions are completed.
Public bodies that receive audit findings must implement corrective measures within 10 working days or submit written justification explaining why remediation cannot be completed within the deadline.
The framework further strengthens institutional independence for auditors, prohibiting retaliation such as demotion, suspension, transfer, or denial of promotion linked to audit activity. It also restricts interference in audit procedures by management of public offices.
At the same time, the directive introduces personal liability provisions. Auditors found to have breached ethical standards, including compromising confidentiality or accepting improper benefits, may be held individually accountable alongside their supervisors. Public officials who fail to cooperate or obstruct investigations face legal consequences under the directive.
All audit records are required to be preserved for at least 10 years, a measure aimed at improving traceability and safeguarding institutional memory in public asset management.
The new rules place Addis Ababa’s public property oversight under a more stringent enforcement regime as the city administration seeks to tighten fiscal discipline and improve governance of state resources.
Source: Birr Metrics
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