BUKA — The Autonomous Bougainville Government, through the Department of Treasury and Finance, is modernising 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 Kearnneth Nanei, chief secretary of the Bougainville Public Service and Chairman of the Bougainville Supply and Tenders Board, and Ferdinand Gamboa, global sales director for Asia and Pacific at FreeBalance Inc.
The signing was witnessed by Joshua Tauko, secretary for Treasury and Finance, Fiona Levi, acting secretary for Technical Services, and Aldo Sagastume, vice president for Public Finance Management at FreeBalance.
The procurement of the FreeBalance Accountability Suite was endorsed by the Bougainville Executive Council in March 2025 and later granted a Certificate of Compliance by the National Department of Information and Communication Technology in June, confirming that the system meets national digital government standards.
The total value of the contract is USD4.19 million, spread across a three-year period, and includes:
- System installation and implementation
- Capacity building through the FreeBalance Academy
- One year of Hypercare support
- Participation in the FreeBalance Lead, Assist and Guide (FLAG) Programme
The project will officially begin in August 2025 and is a key part of the ABG’s financial reform agenda to decentralise 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 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. Implementation will be conducted through both onsite and remote support to ensure uninterrupted progress regardless of travel or operational constraints.
The Department of Treasury and Finance will lead the project in partnership with FreeBalance, the National Department of Finance and other relevant stakeholders. The initiative is designed to strengthen institutional governance and advance Bougainville’s readiness for independence by building robust and self-reliant financial systems.
