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ONECCA Burkina Faso and API Sign Historic MoU to Professionalize Public Sector Accountants in French-Speaking Africa

On September 23, 2024, a groundbreaking milestone was achieved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the African Professionalisation Initiative (API) and ONECCA Burkina Faso (The Professional Accountancy Organisation in Burkina Faso). This pivotal collaboration marks a new era in public sector professionalisation in Francophone Africa, setting the stage for a more accountable and transparent public finance management landscape.The signing ceremony, which took place in Ouagadougou, signals a powerful commitment to strengthen public sector accounting across the region. This partnership was made possible by the generous funding from GAVI, The Global Fund, and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) in conjunction with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), aligns with Africa’s broader mission to elevate professional standards in public finance.

Advancing Public Finance through Strategic Collaboration

At the core of this initiative is the API Accelerated Learning Programme, specifically translated and contextualized for French-speaking incumbents (experienced but un-professionalised government accountants and auditors) in Burkina Faso. This vital effort will ensure that local professionals have access to cutting-edge tools and learning platforms. While GAVI and The Global Fund financed the translation and contextualization elements, the digitization aspect was financed by the Swedish government through SIDA, in partnership with AFROSAI-E. This endeavor represents a giant leap toward accessible, high-quality professionalisation  for public sector accountants across the continent.

API’s collaboration with ONECCA Burkina Faso is designed to fortify the capacity and expertise of public sector accounting and auditing professionals, empowering them to deliver superior services to the citizens of Africa. API’s mission is deeply rooted in promoting accountability, transparency, and good financial governance, and this MoU will further enhance realization of this vision.

ONECCA’s Visionary Leadership and New Business School

A highlight of the event was the official launch of ONECCA Burkina Faso’s Business School, a visionary initiative spearheaded by ONECCA President, Yacouba Traoré. This school will provide learners from Burkina Faso and beyond with top-tier tuition and support, equipping them with the skills necessary to contribute to a more transparent and effective public sector.

The benefits of this collaboration extend far beyond Burkina Faso. The ONECCA Business School will play a critical role in producing highly skilled professionals, who will not only elevate public sector standards in their home countries but also foster a culture of accountability that benefits the entire African continent.

Building Stronger Partnerships for a Sustainable Future

During the event, key representatives from ONECCA, API, and PAFA had the privilege of meeting with the World Bank’s leadership in Burkina Faso, further underscoring the global significance of this partnership. The delegation also engaged with top officials from the Ministry of Health in the Government of Burkina Faso, exploring how professionalisation efforts will enhance value creation in the health sector—a sector where sound financial management is crucial for the delivery of essential services.

This MoU marks a new dawn for public sector professionalisation in French Africa, catalyzing growth, strengthening accountability, and reinforcing Africa’s position as a beacon of good governance. As the API and ONECCA Burkina Faso continue to work hand-in-hand, the future of public finance management across the continent looks brighter than ever.

API’s Commitment to Africa’s Public Sector

API’s vision is clear: an African public sector that is sustainably capacitated with competent, ethical, and influential professionals. Through this partnership, and the continued support from global donors and institutions, API remains committed to developing a workforce that upholds the highest standards of accountability and governance—ensuring that African citizens benefit from transparent and responsible public finance management.

This historic collaboration sets the stage for many more achievements to come, as Africa moves towards a future where professionalisation drives meaningful change and positive impact across its public sector.

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

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