Designing Audit-Ready Data Infrastructure for Donor-Funded Public Programmes: A Procurement Integrity Framework for Nigeria
Abstract
Donor-funded public programmes in developing countries frequently operate within fragmented data environments that limit transparency, weaken accountability, and increase exposure to procurement inefficiencies and financial mismanagement. This challenge is particularly evident in donor-dependent systems, where parallel reporting structures, manual processes, and limited integration with national data platforms undermine effective oversight. This paper proposes a procurement integrity framework-centered on the design of audit-ready data infrastructure for donor-funded programmes, using Nigeria as a contextual case. Building on principles of data governance, analytics infrastructure, and public sector reporting systems, the study introduces a model that integrates real-time procurement dashboards, automated anomaly detection, compliance-aligned reporting pipelines, and tamper-resistant audit logs. The framework emphasizes interoperability between donor and national systems, enabling continuous monitoring of procurement activities across budgeting, contracting, and delivery stages. By embedding transparency and traceability into system architecture, the approach shifts accountability from post-event audits to proactive oversight. The paper argues that strengthening data infrastructure is critical to safeguarding donor investments, improving program outcomes, and enhancing institutional trust. The proposed model offers a scalable pathway for development partners and governments to build resilient, fraud-resistant systems capable of sustaining accountability beyond funding cycles. Key Words: Accountability; Corruption; Data Infrastructure; Donor Agencies; Procurement Integrity
Keywords
Accountability; Corruption; Data Infrastructure; Donor Agencies; Procurement Integrity
References
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