New IMF Course on Transforming Public Finance through GovTech

From June 17 to 21, 2024, the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, in collaboration with the JVI and the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development, conducted for the first time an in-person course titled “Transforming Public Finance through GovTech.” The course aimed to equip participants with a thorough understanding of digitalization's benefits and the policies needed to accelerate digital adoption among households, firms, and governments.

The course began by examining the digital divide's impact across and within countries, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. It covered government policies to boost digital adoption on both the supply and demand sides, emphasizing the importance of bridging the digital divide. Participants learned to estimate the investment needed for universal broadband at a national level and explored international examples of government programs promoting digital adoption. Additionally, the course highlighted the social benefits of digital adoption in labor, education, health, and social outcomes.

The Revenue Administration module presented how GovTech solutions can enhance tax revenue collection. The PFM module focused on implementing and modernizing digital solutions to improve public finance outcomes, increase government spending efficiency and transparency, and manage the risks associated with digitalization.

The course was attended by 29 participants from 11 countries from the JVI region. Expert speakers from Austrian public administration and various workshops contributed to the program. Learning outcomes demonstrated a remarkable 45 percent improvement from the initial to final quizzes. Participant evaluations rated the course an outstanding 4.8 out of 5, reflecting a 96 percent satisfaction rate. The course fostered extensive dialogue and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange . Clearly, there is a lot of interest in the topic. The IMF will continue supporting country members in transforming public finance through digitalization and GovTech. 

Mariano Moszoro, Senior Economist, IMF Fiscal Affairs Department