API and USAID’s Initiative in Botswana to Strengthen Accountability in the African Public Sector
API and USAID (IFAC MOU Partner) are committed to supporting greater accountability and transparency in the public sector. Saff from the API and USAID embarked on a critical mission to Botswana, engaging with key stakeholders to foster support and gather insights for the development of a pioneering learning programme on performance audits for health sector commodities and services. The country visit took place from April 15th to 19th, 2024. This initiative is a cornerstone in API’s vision to realise an African Public Sector sustainably capacitated with competent, ethical, and influential professionals who support accountability, transparency, and good financial governance. The backbone of this country visit is the MOU signed recently between AFROSAI-E, USAID and API to advance shared PFM strengthening interventions.
IFAC MOU Partners
This initiative paves the way for a comprehensive joint engagement involving IFAC, PAFA, GAVI, Global Fund, USAID, and API, with initial pilot initiatives set to roll out in select countries. The expansion of these interventions will be driven by country interest and funding availability, promising a concerted effort to drive positive change and ensure accountability within the public health sector. As stakeholders unite under this collaborative framework, the stage is set to drive meaningful impact and usher in a new era of accountability in public health.
Engaging Stakeholders for Enriched Learning
The visit to Botswana was marked by in-depth discussions with local stakeholders, aimed at shaping a robust framework for the learning programmeme. Key outcomes from these interactions included:
- Inclusivity in Learning:The programme will extend beyond Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) affiliates to include consultancy firms and non-SAI participants, thus broadening the scope and impact of the initiative.
- Customized Learning Paths: Participants may be exempt from modules they are already proficient in, thanks to a vetting process facilitated by the University of Botswana and BICA, ensuring a tailored educational experience.
- Curriculum Adaptation: To cater to individuals transitioning from non-audit roles, the curriculum will integrate introductory auditing courses, accommodating diverse educational backgrounds.
- Affordability: Addressing concerns about potential fees, stakeholders were reassured of the programme’s financial accessibility, with no substantial subscription fees imposed.
- Expanded Scope: Suggestions were made to broaden the programme’s focus to include all facets of health sector service delivery, enhancing its relevance and practical utility in Botswana and beyond.
Practical and Accessible Delivery
The programme is set to be delivered online, maximizing accessibility and enabling participation from a wider audience. This approach ensures that the learning is not only theoretical but grounded in real-world applications, making it directly beneficial to day-to-day operations in health sector audits.
Forward Movements
The University of Botswana, the consultancy selected to develop the learning programme, is diligently progressing the design and drafting of the learning programme using a relevant competency framework that will inform the programme’s content and structure. The competency framework received input through a survey among Auditors General staff; AFROSAI-E Performance auditors’ contribution; and feedback from the workshop held at the University of Botswana on the 18th of April 2024. A pilot phase involving selected learners from SAIs will soon follow, paving the way for a comprehensive rollout supported by the Professional Accountancy Organizations (PAO) and other Lead Learning Partners such as colleges and Universities.
Stakeholder Driven Success
The active participation and feedback from stakeholders during this visit have been instrumental in refining the learning programme. Their contributions are invaluable, ensuring that the programme not only meets educational standards but also addresses the practical needs of the health sector’s audit professionals. The following stakeholders in Botswana took part in the engagements:
- Auditor General of Botswana;
- Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants;
- Accountant General of Botswana;
- Botswana Accountancy Oversight Authority;
- University of Botswana;
- USAID;
- Human Resource Development Council of Botswana;
- GHSC-Chemonics;
- Baisago University; and
- UNICEF
Participating Countries
The collaborative efforts of API, USAID, and Botswana’s stakeholders highlight a shared commitment to enhancing the integrity and efficiency of health sector audits. This programme promises to be a significant step forward in reducing corruption and theft within the sector, ultimately supporting better governance and service delivery across public sectors. Similar stakeholder engagements will proceed in Zimbabwe, Liberia and Namibia and the feedback received will be incorporated in the final learning programme before its official rollout later this year across all interested African countries.
About The API
The African Professionalisation Initiative is an independent non-profit organisation whose primary objective is to strengthen the capacity and knowledge base of accounting and auditing professionals in the African public sector to enhance accounting and auditing service delivery to the citizens of Africa.
Our Vision: An African public sector sustainably capacitated with competent, ethical and influential professionals who support accountability, transparency and good financial governance. Our Mission: Grow the capacity of public sector finance management professionals in the African public sector through high quality, relevant and future fit learning programmes.
The API Partner Organisations
The African Professionalisation Initiative is a partnership between the accountancy profession (represented by the Pan African Federation of Accountants (“PAFA”)), accountants general or their equivalent (African Association of Accountants General – “AAAG”)), and supreme audit institutions or courts of auditors (represented by the English (“AFROSAI-E”) and French (“CREFIAF”) language sub-groups of the African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (“AFROSAI”)).
API is not a PAO
API is not a PAO but rather an enabler or a catalyst for professionalisation of public sector accountants and auditors to realise acceleration of greater accountability and transparency in the public sector. This will lead to growth or increase in the number of professional accountants eligible for membership in country PAOs thus making those PAOs more effective in delivering value to governments through a stronger accountancy profession within the country, continentally (through PAFA) and at the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) level.
The API Houses / Learning Programmes
You can learn offline and update your records the next time you have access to the internet. Learning takes 12 to 18 months to complete.
Please choose below the house that works for you and drop us a mail – info@professionalisation.africa
| Houses (Learning Programmes) | Careers / Jobs for API Graduates |
| • House 1 – Incumbents (Experienced un-professionalised accountants and auditors)-Implemented |
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| • House 2 – Specialisation – Ready for occupation from 2024 | |
| • House 3 – Students – Ready for occupation in 2025 | |
| • House 4 – Micro credentials – Unique Areas of need by governments: E.g. The Public Sector Ethics Certification that is available for all government accountants, auditors and other officers etc. | |
| • House 5 – Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – Book an event here | |
| • House 6 – Sector specific learning programmes or certifications or Micro credentials e.g. Learning Programme on performance audits for health sector commodities. |