Executive takeaway: why execution matters more than the headline numbers
The 2026 Budget lays out a broad slate of government spending aimed at stimulating growth, improving public services, and shoring up fiscal resilience. Yet, as economists and policy analysts note, the true test will not be the size of the appropriations but how effectively those funds are designed, appropriated, and implemented on the ground. Dr. Frank Bannor, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP), warns that momentum will depend on execution—strong procurement, robust project management, and clear accountability—more than the initial dollar figure.
From intention to impact: the execution gap
Budget documents often describe ambitious programs, but many programs stall due to bottlenecks in administration, coordination across agencies, and funding gaps in critical stages such as planning, procurement, and monitoring. Dr. Bannor emphasizes that the 2026 Budget must be accompanied by a credible delivery framework: concrete milestones, realistic timelines, and explicit responsibilities. Without these, even well-intentioned allocations risk underperforming and eroding public trust.
Key areas where execution will determine outcomes
Infrastructure, health, education, and social protection are among the top priorities in the 2026 Budget. The success of these areas hinges on three core execution levers:
- Procurement reform and project governance: Transparent bidding, clear evaluation criteria, and strong contract management reduce delays and cost overruns. Streamlined procurement processes can accelerate infrastructure delivery and public-works projects that underpin long-term growth.
- Capacity building and digital tools: Digitizing project tracking, performance dashboards, and data-driven decision-making improves visibility into progress and risks. Training public servants to manage complex programs helps close the execution gap between budget approval and on-the-ground results.
- Monitoring, accountability, and anti-corruption measures: Independent audits, public reporting, and performance-based accountability ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries and that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.
Anchoring the 2026 Budget in credible delivery
A credible delivery plan requires alignment across ministries, robust risk management, and a realistic appraisal of implementation timelines. The IERPP notes that credible delivery also means prioritizing projects with clear social and economic returns, sequencing investments to prevent crowding and bottlenecks, and ensuring budget execution does not undermine financial stability. This means fiscal rules, prudent debt management, and ongoing reassessment of priorities as conditions evolve.
Measuring success beyond headlines
Performance metrics will be essential. Indicators could include timely project completion rates, cost-to-complete benchmarks, beneficiary reach, and improvements in service delivery metrics (e.g., student literacy rates, healthcare access, road safety). Regular public reporting on these indicators will help close the information gap between policymakers and citizens.
Implications for stakeholders
Effective execution benefits a wide range of stakeholders—from taxpayers and investors to local communities relying on improved services. For the private sector, a transparent and predictable procurement environment reduces uncertainty and encourages private participation in public projects. For civil society, independent monitoring ensures that the public purse is used as intended and that vulnerable groups receive promised support.
Looking ahead
As the 2026 Budget rolls out, the emphasis should shift from “how much” to “how well.” The difference will be measured not by grand announcements but by the tangible improvements in people’s lives, the efficiency of public services, and the sustainable growth that follows. Dr. Bannor and his colleagues at IERPP advocate for a delivery-first approach, where policy design is inseparable from implementation planning.
