The Government of Haiti launched the Haiti Strengthening Public Financial Management Project on July 14, 2025. This initiative follows approval by the World Bank's Executive Board earlier this year on March 4. The project, supported by a $60 million grant from the World Bank’s International Development Association, aims to enhance government capacity and transparency in public revenue mobilization and financial management.
The project's primary objectives include improving budget management and increasing efficiency in customs operations to boost revenue mobilization. During the launch ceremony, Haiti’s Minister of Finance emphasized that the project would directly benefit government institutions by enhancing revenue collection and public financial management systems. "Haiti has one of the lowest tax burdens in the region," said Alfred Metellus, Haiti’s Minister of Finance. He added that the project seeks to foster collaboration between the government and citizens to advance public financial management reforms and increase trust in governmental processes.
An innovative aspect of this project is its introduction of Performance-Based Conditions designed to encourage reform implementation. These conditions aim to support results-based budgeting and direct financing for sustainable institutional capacity outcomes. Additionally, efforts will focus on strengthening oversight institutions like the Supreme Audit Institution, Inspectorate General of Finances, and Anti-Corruption Agency.
This new initiative builds upon gains made through a previous effort known as PAGEFIS (Improving Haiti’s Public Financial Management and Statistical Information Project), which concluded last month after being launched in 2017. Anne-Lucie Lefebvre, World Bank Country Manager for Haiti, stated: “The idea of PREGEFIP is to consolidate the gains of the precedent project.” She noted that ongoing collaboration with organizations like the Inter-American Development Bank has led to improved governance and public sector management.
PAGEFIS left a legacy with its functional Integrated Public Financial Management System (IFMIS), which enhances resource management efficiency and oversight body effectiveness in ensuring accountability. The partnership also focuses on bolstering digital infrastructure within Haiti's Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Anne-Lucie Lefebvre highlighted how these combined efforts have strengthened Haiti's institutional framework: “These complementary efforts helped to leverage resources and knowledge more effectively."