Creating Impact through Accountability – API and SAIGA Sign Professionalisation

6th November 2024, Pretoria, South Africa

In a historic move aimed at transforming public sector accounting and auditing across the African continent, the African Professionalisation Initiative (API) and the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) have signed a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will reshape the future of public financial management. The partnership was officially formalised on November 6, 2024, marking the beginning of a collaboration that promises to elevate the capacity and professionalism of auditors and accountants within Africa’s public sector.

This landmark agreement seeks to address one of the continent’s most pressing challenges: the need for competent, ethical, and well-trained public sector accounting and auditing professionals who can drive accountability, transparency, and good financial governance. This partnership is poised to play a crucial role in the region’s development and governance and brings to nine (9) the number of countries that have signed professionalisation MOUs with API.

Empowering the Public Sector with Professionalism

The primary goal of this partnership is to build a pipeline of highly qualified public sector accountants and auditors through a suite of learning programmes offered by API, with SAIGA as the lead implementer in South Africa. SAIGA’s Academy will further the realization of this goal by availing its infrastructure for delivery of tuition support both in South Africa and other African countries. This collaboration will directly impact the operational efficiency of national and local governments across the continent by equipping public sector employees with the skills and competencies necessary to uphold rigorous public sector financial reporting standards and laws.

Through the MOU, API and SAIGA will jointly advance a robust professionalisation program designed to meet the unique needs of South Africa while supporting progress across the continent. By developing locally contextualised learning content and offering affordable, accessible online education, the partnership will remove barriers to professional training, empowering government agencies and professionals alike.

“This partnership is not just an agreement; it is a shared commitment to building a stronger, more accountable public sector in Africa,” said the SAIGA CEO, Russel Morena. “By equipping professionals with the tools to excel, we are ensuring that Africa’s future leaders in public financial management are poised to deliver better services to citizens and foster a climate of transparency and trust.”

Strengthening Africa’s Capacity for Financial Governance

The collaboration between API and SAIGA will be a game changer for the public sector by enhancing the professionalisation of accountants and auditors in key governmental positions, such as the Auditor General’s Office, Accountant General’s Office, and other relevant ministries, departments, and agencies. The MOU sets out specific areas for cooperation, including joint advocacy, research, and the delivery of specialised training programs aimed at government stakeholders across the continent.

SAIGA, with its extensive expertise in public sector auditing, will provide invaluable insights and best practices that will help streamline public financial management reforms. Meanwhile, API’s innovative learning platform, which includes online courses available anytime, anywhere, will provide affordable access to training that is benchmarked to international standards, ensuring that graduates are not only skilled but globally competitive.

A Vision for the Future: Professionalisation at the Core of Development

The API-SAIGA MOU is more than just an educational initiative; it is part of a larger vision to strengthen Africa’s entire accountancy ecosystem. By professionalizing public sector accountants and auditors, the partnership aims to support governments in meeting international standards of financial reporting and governance, thereby unlocking new potential for economic growth, efficiency, and social impact.

“By aligning our efforts, we are not just building professional expertise—we are creating a legacy of excellence in public financial management that will benefit generations to come,” said Evans Mulera, API CEO. “This partnership is a crucial step towards realising the vision of a more transparent, accountable, and prosperous Africa.”

Looking Ahead: Collaboration for a Better Future

As the partnership between API and SAIGA unfolds, the MOU lays the foundation for a future where African governments and their citizens benefit from the expertise of a well-trained, highly capable cadre of accountants and auditors. By fostering greater collaboration between professional bodies, government entities, and academic institutions, this partnership promises to accelerate public sector reforms and contribute to Africa’s journey towards achieving sustainable development goals.

The API-SAIGA MOU is a testament to the power of partnership and innovation in shaping the future of Africa’s public sector. Together, they are lighting the path toward a more accountable, transparent, and efficient governance system that will serve the people of Africa for decades to come.

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