PAFA, AU, ICPAU Enhancing Public Finance In Africa: Progress And Prospects
Kampala, Uganda | 18 – 20 February 2025
Kampala became the stage for Africa’s boldest and brightest financial minds as PAFA, the African Union, and ICPAU came together to host the game-changing Public Finance Management (PFM) Conference from February 18–20, 2025— with the noble aim of redefining the future of public finance across the continent.
With an elite gathering of policymakers, financial experts, and institutional leaders, the event tackled the continent’s biggest financial challenges and mapped a transformative future for Africa’s public finance landscape. Supported by key global and regional partners—including IFAC, INTOSAI CBC, IPSASB, AfDB, AFROSAI-E, API, and AfCFTA Secretariat—this exclusive, invitation-only summit delivered high-value insights that promise to reshape Africa’s financial governance.
The Big Picture: A New Era for African Public Finance
Opening remarks from ICPAU President Josephine Okui Ossiya, PAFA President Keto Kayemba, and AU Director of Finance Edith Akorfa Akua Lumor set the tone, emphasising Africa’s progress in strengthening financial management, accountability, and transparency. A powerful keynote address from a representative of the Uganda Ministry of Finance reinforced the urgency of robust public finance systems to drive sustainable development.
Key Themes & Discussions
- The Evolving PFM Landscape in Africa – Experts from AU, CABRI, AfDB, and FRC Nigeria explored key trends, governance shifts, and reform priorities shaping Africa’s financial management.
- Professional Accountancy’s Role in the Public Sector – Leaders from PAFA, AAAG, AFROSAI-E, AFROPAC, and key PAOs discussed how professional accountants can drive accountability and integrity within public institutions.
- Strengthening PAO-SAI Collaboration for Professionalisation – High-level speakers from IFAC, INTOSAI CBC, AfDB, and SAICA shared pathways to elevate public sector audit professionalism.
- Fighting Corruption & Economic Crimes – A no-holds-barred discussion featuring Transparency International, AfDB, AFROPAC, and key MPs tackled corruption challenges and collaborative strategies for financial integrity.
- Enhancing Public Sector Accountability with Accrual Reporting – With insights from IPSASB, AfDB, and Ghana’s Controller & Accountant General, this session demonstrated how accrual reporting can improve governance.
- Amplifying Africa’s Voice in Global Standard-Setting – Leaders from IPSASB, FRC Nigeria, PSASB Kenya, and ASB South Africa strategized ways to influence international public sector accounting standards.
A Strategic Path Forward
The conference didn’t just reflect on challenges—it paved a roadmap for solutions. Participants examined how Africa’s PAOs, Supreme Audit Institutions, and financial regulators can align efforts to professionalize public finance and enhance financial sustainability.
A special focus on sustainability reporting highlighted the growing importance of integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into public sector financial management, with IPSASB leading discussions on climate and natural resource accounting.
API’s Role in Transforming Public Sector Finance
A key player in this transformation is the African Professionalisation Initiative (API), whose mission is to grow the capacity of public sector finance management professionals through high-quality, relevant, and future-fit learning programs. API’s vision of a sustainably capacitated African public sector with competent, ethical, and influential professionals was echoed throughout the conference. As an independent non-profit, API continues to strengthen the knowledge base of accounting and auditing professionals, enhancing financial service delivery to Africa’s citizens.
Closing with a Call to Action
As the event concluded, ICPAU CEO Derick Nkajja and PAFA CEO Alta Prinsloo urged stakeholders to seize this momentum and drive lasting change. With a firm commitment from African governments, development partners, and financial professionals, the future of public finance in Africa is poised for a transformational leap.
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”.
Consult with us today to discover the future of public service! |
Benefits to Governments
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House 8 – API Professional Alumni NetworkUnleashing Africa’s Next Generation of Financial LeadersVisionary Circle – USD 29 Annual SubscriptionFor those ready to lead Africa’s financial future.
Pioneers Network – USD 49 Annual Subscription For trailblazers driving financial transformation in underserved regions.
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Exclusive alumni benefits
Be part of the elite API Network, connecting you with Africa’s brightest financial minds |