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SIDA and API Meet to Review 2023 Results on Strengthening Public Sector Accountability in Africa

Introduction

In a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the African public sector, the Swedish International Cooperation and Development Agency (SIDA) and the African Public Sector Professionalisation Initiative (API) for government accountants and auditors convened a pivotal meeting on 15 November 2023. The purpose of the meeting was to review the performance and results achieved under the funding support from SIDA, with a particular focus on key areas such as public sector learning resources development, country rollout and implementation in Africa, French translation and contextualisation by IFAC, PAFA, and The Global Fund, and the institutional sustainability of the API. SIDA was represented at the meeting by Therese Sjöström.

The Benefits of Partnership

The collaboration between SIDA and API represents a joint effort to strengthen the capacity of government accountants and auditors across Africa. By fostering professionalisation in the public sector, the initiative aims to improve financial management, enhance accountability, and ultimately contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals on the continent.

The meeting marked a significant milestone in the quest for professionalisation and enhanced accountability in the African public sector. Through SIDA’s support, the API has made a remarkable progress in developing learning resources, expanding its presence across African countries, and ensuring accessibility through translation efforts. The commitment by API to institutional sustainability demonstrates a shared vision for the long-term impact of the initiative.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

One of the major highlights of the meeting was the discussion on public sector learning resources development. SIDA’s funding support has enabled the API to develop and online; learning platform as well as comprehensive learning materials tailored to the African context. These resources encompass a wide range of topics, including financial management, auditing, ethics, and governance. The meeting participants acknowledged the significance of these resources in equipping public sector professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively.

Another area of focus was the country rollout and implementation of the API in Africa. Through SIDA’s support, the initiative has been successfully introduced in several African countries (such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Liberia, among others, where implementation has already commenced), with positive outcomes expected. The API team shared implementation progress updates for different countries, highlighting the importance of local ownership, stakeholder engagement, and sustained commitment to embedding the API within national frameworks.

French Translation

The meeting also addressed the crucial task of French translation and contextualisation of the API materials. Collaborations with international bodies such as the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), and The Global Fund have facilitated the ongoing translation and contextualisation of API resources into French, ensuring accessibility and relevance for French-speaking African countries. This development received commendation from the SIDA representative as it promotes inclusivity and expands the reach of the initiative to address the African Union broad base of language contexts.

API Sustainability

A key aspect of the meeting focused on ensuring the institutional sustainability of the API. Recognising the need for long-term viability, the meeting considered and engaged in discussions on strategies to secure ongoing financial support, establish partnerships with regional organisations, and integrate the API within existing national professional bodies. Building on the progress achieved thus far, the meeting emphasized the importance of sustained commitment and collaboration to ensure the lasting impact and success of the initiative.

About The API –  Our Purpose (Objective)

The API 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.

The API Vision and Mission

Our Vision: An African public sector capacitated with competent, ethical and influential professionals who support accountability, transparency and good financial governance. Our Mission: To grow the capacity of accountancy professionals in the African public sector for enhanced service delivery.

The API Houses / Learning Programmes

You can learn offline from anywhere from your mobile device and update your records the next time you have access to the internet, and complete within 12 to 18 months

Please choose below what may work for you and drop us an email on info@professionalisation.africa

Houses (Learning Programmes)
• House 1 – Incumbents (Experienced un-professionalised accountants and auditors)-Implemented
• 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 Asset management and Accounting; Performance audits etc.
• House 5 – Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The API Partner Organisations

The API Learning Programmes aim to achieve the above institutional goal as 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”)).


Contact the API Team for more details: info@professionalisation.africa | www.professionalisation.africa

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