A round-up of public finance news stories from the Middle East and Africa you might have missed this week (April 22–26).

Gordhan urges better South African state spending

Government spending needs to produce better quality results, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan said on Thursday (Mail & Guardian).

Egypt plans to cut budget deficit next year after missing target

Egypt will exceed its budget deficit target this year as a delay in enacting fiscal changes raises pressure for spending cuts, a government official said (Bloomberg).

Kenyan budget crisis looms over Uhuru's delay in naming Cabinet

A budget crisis is looming following delay by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to name Cabinet Secretaries as the budget timelines near expiry (Standard Digital).

Public institutions in Zanzibar ‘ignoring audit procedures'

Public institutions' failure to execute auditing and delays in handing over annual financial reports to the Controller and Auditor General is to blame for continued financial indiscipline in Zanzibar, a report says (All Africa).

World Bank stops supporting Uganda's budget

The donor community is completely pulling out of budget support, New Vision has learnt. Analysts say the development presents new opportunities for the country if well utilised (New Vision).