Laos has received USD 17.5 million in support from the World Bank for the second phase of the Enhancing Public Financial Management through ICT and Skills Project.
The funding, provided through the World Bank Group’s International Development Association, aims to help the Lao government strengthen budgeting, spending, and financial reporting across all agencies.
This new phase focuses on upgrading the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and training staff at spending units across all levels of government. The goal is to enable officials to prepare budgets and record transactions more effectively within the state budget system.
According to officials, the project is designed to make public spending more transparent and accountable, ensuring taxpayer money is used efficiently and that financial data remains accurate and accessible.
In a statement, Khwima Nthara, Country Manager for Laos, said that all agencies or offices using the state budget will process expenditures through the official system. This helps the government ensure transparency and accountability, so that Lao taxpayers get improved value for money, and will also facilitate timely decision-making.
The first phase of the project, launched in 2019, laid the groundwork for the national rollout of IFMIS and provided training to government staff. The second phase builds on this progress, expanding digital tools and staff capacity to all ministries and local offices.
Together, the two phases form part of a long-term strategy that works with the Ministry of Finance to improve public financial management in Laos, enabling more effective and equitable delivery of essential services such as education, healthcare, energy, transport, and law enforcement.


