Skip to content

API’s 2nd Virtual Public Financial Management (PFM) Conference: Driving the Future of Public Accountability and Governance in Africa

On September 10, 2024, the African Professionalisation Initiative (API) made a bold statement of hope to the continental community through its inspiring second virtual Public Financial Management (PFM) Conference. This pivotal event not only solidified API’s mission to enhance the skills and ethical standards of Africa’s public finance professionals but also underscored the continent’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable financial governance.In an electrifying keynote address, Lee White, CEO of IFAC, emphasized the transformative role of professional accountants in public value creation. He reiterated how accountancy professionals play a critical role in strengthening public finance management systems, upholding transparency, and eradicating corruption to create value for the public and citizens. The collaboration between API and global partners like IFAC reinforces the continent’s commitment to a future where integrity and accountability are the cornerstones of public sector financial governance.

Key Themes at the Conference

The conference unfolded under five dynamic themes:

  1. AI’s Role in Reshaping Public Financial Management – This session delved into the integration of artificial intelligence, addressing the challenges and ethical considerations of introducing AI into public sector financial systems. As AI becomes an integral part of governance, the role of PFM professionals is being reshaped to ensure accountability and transparency.
  2. Strategic Budgeting and Public Sector Efficiency – Experts discussed innovative budgeting strategies and the power of technology in streamlining public sector operations. From waste reduction to boosting supply chain management, this theme highlighted practical solutions for modern-day financial challenges.
  3. Transforming Transparency Through Public Sector Accounting – As Africa continues to adopt International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), speakers shared success stories of jurisdictions excelling in this field, paving the way for other governments to follow. The evolution of IPSAS has brought a wave of reform, enhancing transparency and anti-corruption efforts.
  4. Audit Agility and Public Sector Performance – The role of audits is rapidly evolving, and the conference explored innovative techniques that are improving the agility and effectiveness of public sector audits. Discussions around compliance and the future of auditing pointed to a more accountable public sector across the continent.
  5. Green Governance: Climate Action in Public Finance – The closing theme focused on the intersection of PFM and environmental sustainability. It showcased how PFM leaders are championing climate action and driving sustainable governance practices. With an eye on the future, the discussions highlighted strategies for using fiscal policies to address the global climate crisis.

See the action plan below arising from the discussions at the conference.

API’s vision of capacitating the African public sector with ethical and competent professionals was evident throughout the conference. As public sector leaders, policymakers, and professionals connected virtually, they left with a shared sense of purpose: to shape a future where African governance is synonymous with integrity, transparency, and public value.

The conference wrapped up with key action points and a call for ongoing collaboration (See the generic action plan below for adaptation in your country). API’s drive to professionalise the public sector across Africa is not only a vision but a movement—one that aims to elevate the continent on the global stage of financial governance.

As Africa steps forward, its professionals are ready, armed with the skills, knowledge, and ethical fortitude to lead.

Expert Conference Speakers

We are indebted to the following speakers and panelists for their contribution in making the conference a spectacular success.

  1. Lee White
    Chief Executive Officer, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
  2. Gherezgiher Ghebremedhin
    Auditor General, Eritrea (Panel Session Chair)
  3. Neo Hlatshwayo
    Technical Director, API
  4. Dr. Lovemore Gomera
    CEO, CGAIZ, Zimbabwe
  5. Evelyn Mwapasa
    Director, PAO Development, PAFA
  6. Fredrick Riaga
    CEO, AAAG, Kenya
  7. Prof. Rashied Small
    Chairman, API Academic Advisory Committee (Panel Session Chair)
  8. Timothy Sipho
    Auditor General, Eswatini
  9. David Watkins
    Technical Advisor for Ian Carruthers, IPSASB
  10. Darlene Nzorubara
    Principal, IFAC
  11. Papin Daniels Jr.
    President, LICPA, Liberia
  12. Prof. Philipe Lassou
    AAAFA Board & API Academic Advisory Committee
  13. Ruth Doreen Mutebe
    AFIIA President (Panel Session Chair)
  14. Modou Ceesay
    Auditor General, Gambia
  15. Josephine Mukomba
    Senior Executive, AFROSAI-E
  16. Essie Herbst
    CEO, NIPA, Namibia (Panel Session Chair)
  17. Mr. Mesfin Mezgebu
    Program Officer Manager, SIDA
  18. Dr. Nelson Maseko
    Executive Director, Management and Training Board, Zimbabwe
  19. Paul Gaye
    President, GICA, Gambia
  20. Marcel Mukeshimana
    Accountant General, Rwanda & API Board Chairman
  21. Evans Mulera
    CEO, African Professionalisation Initiative – API

Action Plan for Improving Public Financial Management (PFM)

By establishing clear high leverage / impact actions, setting specific targets, and implementing practical solutions outlined below, governments can strengthen their Public Financial Management systems, driving efficiency, accountability, and transparency in the public sector.

  1. Action: Enhance Professionalism in PFM
    • Target: Professionalize 50% of incumbent public sector accountants and auditors within five years.
    • Practical Example: Governments can partner with professional accountancy organizations (PAOs), API and regulators to train and certify accountants, improving financial oversight and ethical standards in public service.
  2. Action: Leverage AI for Efficiency in PFM
    • Target: Implement AI-driven data analytics tools in budgeting across all ministries within five years.
    • Practical Example: Governments can integrate AI-powered predictive analytics to improve budget forecasting accuracy and automate routine tasks, freeing resources for strategic decision-making. This can start with training staff on use of AI using the API resources.
  3. Action: Adopt Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) -Build Budgets from the ground up
    • Target: Conduct annual ZBB reviews for 30% of government departments by year three.
    • Practical Example: ZBB forces departments to consider and justify every expense from scratch, helping reduce unnecessary spending and reallocate resources to high-impact initiatives while both remaining relevant and increasing citizen value creation.
  4. Action: Implement IPSAS for Transparency
    • Target: Achieve 100% adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) across government entities within three years.
    • Practical Example: Governments can run IPSAS training and capacity-building workshops to improve financial reporting accuracy and strengthen public trust in government spending by using the API IPSAS Micro credential/ certification.
  5. Action: Use Blockchain for Financial Transparency
    • Target: Integrate blockchain technology into 30% of government financial transactions by year five.
    • Practical Example: Blockchain provides a secure, immutable ledger for transactions, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring accountability in public procurement and budgeting processes.
  6. Action: Develop Green PFM Practices
    • Target: Ensure that 30% of government investments align with sustainability goals within three years.
    • Practical Example: Governments can use PFM systems to track and report on investments in green technologies and infrastructure, driving both environmental and financial sustainability.
  7. Action: Promote Lean Management in Public Sector Operations
    • Target: Reduce operational waste by 20% across key government departments within three years.
    • Practical Example: Implement lean management techniques, such as process automation, to minimize resource wastage and enhance efficiency across public sector operations thereby simultaneously unlocking funds for other priority areas of development.
  8. Action: Enhance Audit Agility through Technology
    • Target: Adopt data analytics in 70% of public audits within four years.
    • Practical Example: Governments can utilize advanced data analytics to quickly identify anomalies in financial transactions, speeding up the audit process and improving the detection of inefficiencies or fraud.
  9. Action: Foster Cross-Departmental Budget Collaboration
    • Target: Achieve integrated budgeting and resource sharing across all ministries by year five.
    • Practical Example: Governments can create collaborative procurement strategies where departments pool resources, leading to more effective supply chain management and reduced costs.
  10. Action: Implement Performance-Based Budgeting (PBB)
    • Target: Allocate 60% of public funds based on measurable outcomes within five years.
    • Practical Example: Governments can tie financial resources to specific performance metrics, ensuring funds are directed to programs that demonstrate clear, measurable results in public service delivery.

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

The African Professionalisation Initiative (API) operates not as a Professional Accountancy Organisation (PAO), but as a facilitator and catalyst for the professionalisation of public sector accountants and auditors. This critical role accelerates accountability and transparency within the public sector. Consequently, it increases the number of professional accountants eligible for membership in national PAOs, thereby enhancing their effectiveness. This growth strengthens the accountancy profession at the national level through the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) on the continental level, and with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) on the international level.

The API Houses / Learning Programmes

As API embarks on this exciting Professionalisation journey, it remains steadfast in its mission to grow the capacity of public sector finance management professionals through high-quality, relevant, and future-fit learning programmes. The flexible, comprehensive learning programme offers a transformative educational experience designed to be completed in 12 to 18 months, empowering professionals to achieve their goals at their own pace, anywhere, and anytime.

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) – Register for Public Sector Professionalisation for Career Success ✔ Government Accountant
✔ Budget Analyst
✔ Financial controller
✔ Government Auditor
✔ Tax examiner
✔ Public Financial Management Consultant
✔ Non-profit Accountant
✔ Financial Analyst
✔ Grants and Contracts Manager
✔ Compliance Officer
✔ Public Sector Financial Reporting Specialist✔ Sector specific accountants, auditors, advisors e.t.c.
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) – Register for Public Sector CPD Events – Get 12 Hours of Excellence in 12 Months
House 6 – Sector specific learning programmes or certifications or Micro credentials e.g. Learning Programme on performance audits for health sector commodities.
House 7 – PFM and AI Consulting Services: We empower the public sector and governments with cutting-edge knowledge and skills. We offer specialized consulting and in-house training designed to help you harness value in areas of your needs. Available currently is the service focused on “Effective use of PFM and AI to drive service efficiency in the public sector”.

  • Ready to accelerate your PFM strategic success?
  • Ready to elevate your organization to new heights?

Consult with us today to discover the future of public service!

Benefits to Governments

  • Enhanced PFM Decision-Making
  • Increased PFM Operational Efficiency
  • Improved Public Services
  • Strengthened PFM Compliance and Security

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.