GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

This study examined local government autonomy and proper management of funds, as a panacea for rural development. Local governments, as the third tier of government, play a fundamental role in bringing governance closer to the people by addressing grassroots needs such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development. In the context of carrying out this research, the following subheads were explore among many others: concept of local government autonomy, concept of proper fund management and concept of rural development. Furthermore, the study mentioned that one of the effects of local government autonomy on rural development was that Local government autonomy was crucial particularly in improving service delivery, infrastructure, and economic empowerment. The study further stated that one of the effects of proper management of funds on rural development was that it fostered sustainable rural development, ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently to improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic growth. Internalizing investment management, leveraging artificial intelligence and enhancing active management strategies to mention but a few were mentioned as the ways to improve upon funds management in Local governments. Based on this, the study concluded that Local government autonomy was vital for driving rural development by enabling efficient resource allocation and decision-making. One of the recommendations made was that the government should strengthen legal frameworks to guarantee full autonomy for local governments, reducing excessive interference from higher authorities.