About SIGAR
In 2008 Congress created SIGAR to conduct robust, independent, and objective oversight of the U.S. reconstruction investment in Afghanistan, which currently exceeds $115 billion. Since then, the agency has been at the forefront of the ongoing effort to safeguard the United States’ investment in Afghanistan. SIGAR maintains by far the largest presence of any U.S. oversight agency in Afghanistan and its staff have more experience in country than that of any other organization. SIGAR comprises auditors, investigators, inspectors, and other professionals committed to ensuring that taxpayer funds are protected from fraud, waste, and abuse.
To fulfill its congressional mandate, SIGAR publishes audit and inspection reports that delve into the details of U.S.-funded programs and projects in Afghanistan. SIGAR’s Office of Special Projects produces prompt and actionable reports to examine emerging and time-sensitive issues. SIGAR’s Lessons Learned Program identifies lessons and develops actionable recommendations on broad reconstruction topics viewed across a 15-year timeframe. In addition, SIGAR’s Research and Analysis Directorate produces quarterly reports, mandated by Congress in Public Law 110-181, compiling the most current information about reconstruction from all of the agencies operating in Afghanistan.
Since SIGAR's creation we have issued 248 audits, inspections, alert letters, and other products—including nearly 701 recommendations—and identified roughly $2 billion in potential savings to U.S. taxpayers. In addition, our investigations unit has conducted 950 investigations, resulting in 104 arrests, 142 criminal charges, 106 convictions or guilty pleas, and 94 sentencings.
Oversight Products
With its congressional mandate to oversee any U.S. agency involved in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, SIGAR has full law-enforcement powers as well as the authority to conduct audits and inspections, and to issue quarterly and lessons learned reports.
SIGAR’s years of experience, institutional knowledge and expertise on Afghanistan reconstruction, and independence as a “special inspector general” make it uniquely qualified to develop interagency lessons learned and identify best practices for future U.S. reconstruction efforts. The agency’s core oversight products include:
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Performance Audits
In-depth evaluations of reconstruction programs with recommendations to improve performance and operations. -
Financial Audits
Detailed assessments of costs incurred on reconstruction contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. -
Inspections
Physical assessments of infrastructure to ensure facilities were constructed in accordance with contract requirements, used as intended, and are being maintained. -
Investigations
Federal law enforcement investigations to address procurement and contract fraud, public corruption, theft, and other illicit activities. -
Special Projects
Prompt evaluations of emerging oversight issues to deliver actionable reports to federal agencies and Congress. -
Quarterly Reports
Regular reporting to Congress and the Secretaries of Defense and State on the status of reconstruction efforts and appropriated funds. -
Lessons Learned
Comprehensive analysis of reconstruction efforts to identify best practices and lessons learned for future reconstruction efforts.
What We've Done
Published 248 products, including performance audits, financial audits, inspection reports and alert letters.
Produced a total of $951 million in criminal fines, restitutions, forfeitures, civil settlement recovers, and U.S. government cost savings.
Produced 33 Quarterly Reports to Congress that provide timely, accurate, and comprehensive reporting and analysis of the U.S.-funded reconstruction mission in Afghanistan.
