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CREFIAF Champions Quality Public Financial Governance in Africa

A remarkable milestone has been achieved from November 10 to 14, 2024, when the Cour des Comptes of Djibouti (The Court of Accounts of Djibouti) hosted the 10th General Assembly of the Conseil Régional de Formation des Institutions Supérieures de Contrôle des Finances Publiques d’Afrique Francophone Subsaharienne (CREFIAF). The event, held at the iconic Kempinski Palace Hotel, convened leaders in public financial governance from across Francophone Africa to chart the future of accountability, transparency, and capacity-building in the public sector.This year’s assembly marked a milestone in advancing CREFIAF’s mission as a key regional partner for strengthening the mandates of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). Themed around institutional reforms and capacity-building, the event facilitated critical discussions on topics ranging from gender inclusivity to the adoption of the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.
Mrs. Ismahan Mahamoud Ibrahim, President of Djibouti’s Court of Accounts, welcomed delegates with a call to embrace collaboration and innovation: “Djibouti is honored to host this gathering of leaders committed to financial governance and institutional growth. Together, we are creating a foundation for better public accountability across Africa.”

Strengthening Ties with API

CREFIAF, one of the founding partners of the African Professionalisation Initiative (API), reinforced its commitment to API’s vision of equipping the public sector with competent, ethical, and influential professionals. API’s mission, which focuses on delivering future-ready learning programs to finance professionals, resonated throughout the assembly. The API made a presentation highlighting the power and benefits of partnership as well as key benefits of professionalisation through the API learning programmes. The API drew the attention of the audience to the professionalisation MOU recently signed with ONECCA Burkina Faso and welcomed the CREFIAF members to tap this opportunity by leveraging the ONECCA BF Business school that will be delivering tuition support.

SAI Senegal & Guinea – Champions for Professionalisation

The Senegal representative shared with API their enthusiasm for the program, emphasizing their SAI’s commitment to supporting tuition delivery and a shared vision for transforming professionalisation through collaboration with API. We celebrate the passion and vision of Papa Gallo Lakh from SAI Senegal, who truly embodies the drive for excellence, and Diallo Mamadou Saliou from SAI Guinea, whose groundbreaking ideas are reshaping how we will empower SAI teams in future. Together, we’re not just building capacity; we’re igniting a revolution in professional growth.
During the event, delegates underscored the significance of API’s collaboration in bridging the capacity gap in public financial management. Newly appointed CREFIAF representatives to API’s governing bodies were tasked with strengthening the synergies between both organisations, ensuring alignment in advancing professionalisation in public sector auditing and financial management. CREFIAF will make available the names of the respective representatives for communication to our stakeholders in Africa and beyond.

Key Milestones

The assembly celebrated notable achievements, including:

  • Approval of Strategic Plans: Adoption of CREFIAF’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, outlining goals for institutional reform and capacity development.
  • Leadership Transition: The presidency of CREFIAF was formally transferred to Djibouti, signifying the country’s growing influence in regional financial governance, with the installation of the new President, Mrs. Ismahan Mahamoud Ibrahim, President of Djibouti’s Court of Accounts.
  • Gender and Capacity Building: Reports emphasised strides in promoting gender equity and professional capacity development across SAIs.

Congratulations to the New CREFIAF President

API is pleased to welcome the new CREFIAF President, a visionary leader poised to shape the future of regional public financial governance and accountability. With the presidency now in Djibouti’s hands, led by the remarkable Mrs. Ismahan Mahamoud Ibrahim, President of Djibouti’s Court of Accounts, this marks a bold step forward. We’re here, fully committed, to support her journey and ensure a transformative and impactful tenure. We also extend gratitude to the CREFIAF secretariat led by Mr Hassan, Patrice Enama and their team for delivering tremendous milestones for the benefit of the public sector in Africa.

Donor Support

The assembly provided updates on donor-supported projects, including PAMOMISC and PASSIMS, which aim to strengthen the effectiveness of SAIs and improve public finance controls in health grant management. Mr. Ola Hoem, Executive Director, and Mr. Alain Roger M, Regional Manager of the INTOSAI Capacity Development Initiative, delivered presentations during the meeting. The CREFIAF leadership and participants expressed their gratitude for the ongoing support from key donors, such as GAVI and The Global Fund, with whom CREFIAF has formalised partnerships through a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Moving Forward

The assembly concluded with renewed commitments to deepening public financial governance in Africa. Djibouti’s leadership and CREFIAF’s partnership with API promise to deliver lasting impacts, fostering transparency and accountability as cornerstones of sustainable development in the region. The assembly’s outcomes reaffirm CREFIAF’s role as a cornerstone in Africa’s financial governance landscape and its partnership with API as a driver of transformative change.

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
House 8 – API Professional Alumni NetworkUnleashing Africa’s Next Generation of Financial Leaders

Visionary CircleUSD 29 Annual Subscription

For those ready to lead Africa’s financial future.

  • Must be an API Graduate
  • Must be a member of a recognised Professional Accountancy Organisation (PAO)
  • Get 15% Discount for joining through a PAO

Pioneers NetworkUSD 49 Annual Subscription

For trailblazers driving financial transformation in underserved regions.

  • Must be an API Graduate
  • From a country without a PAO, or
  • From a country with a PAO that lacks public sector membership
Exclusive alumni benefits

  • Free access to quarterly CPD events to keep you ahead of industry trends
  • Free API Newsletter delivering insights, updates, and opportunities
  • Free Annual PFM Conference—where leaders meet to shape Africa’s future
  • Free Training on Artificial Intelligence
  • Engage in the PFM Discussion Forum, sharing ideas with pioneers and experts
  • Join the API Ambassador Program to elevate your influence and impact for Free

Be part of the elite API Network, connecting you with Africa’s brightest financial minds

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