ABG signs major ICT contract with FreeBalance to modernize Public Financial Management
The Autonomous Bougainville Government, through the Department of Treasury and Finance, is modernizing its public finance systems, with a new contract signed with FreeBalance Inc. to implement a financial management platform aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and service delivery.
The contract was formally signed last week by Mr. Kearnneth Nanei, Chief Secretary of the Bougainville Public Service and Chairman of the Bougainville Supply and Tenders Board, and Mr. Ferdinand Gamboa, Global Sales Director for Asia and Pacific of FreeBalance Inc.
The signing was witnessed by Mr. Joshua Tauko, Secretary for Treasury and Finance, Ms. Fiona Levi, Acting Secretary for Technical Services, and Mr. Aldo Sagastume, Vice President for Public Finance Management of FreeBalance.
The procurement of the FreeBalance Accountability Suite was endorsed by the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) in March 2025 and later granted a Certificate of Compliance (COC) by the National Department of Information and Communication Technology in June this year, confirming that the system meets national digital government standards.
The total value of the contract is USD4.19million, spread across a three-year period, and includes:
- System installation and implementation;
- Capacity building through the FreeBalance Academy;
- One year of Hypercare support; and
- Participation in the FreeBalance Lead, Assist, and Guide (FLAG) Program.
The project will officially commence in August 2025, and is a key deliverable under the ABG’s financial reform agenda to decentralize services and improve financial controls at all levels of government.
“This marks the beginning of a transformational journey in Bougainville’s financial management architecture,” said Chief Secretary Mr. Keanearth Nanei. “It is not a destination but a gateway to more transparent, efficient, and accountable government.”
FreeBalance reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bougainville's digital transformation, with the implementation to be undertaken through both onsite and remote support, ensuring uninterrupted progress regardless of travel or operational constraints.
The ABG Department of Treasury and Finance will lead the implementation in partnership with FreeBalance, the National Department of Finance, and other relevant stakeholders. This initiative not only strengthens institutional governance but also advances Bougainville’s and the Department’s readiness for independence by establishing robust and self-reliant financial systems.
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