SIDA Committed to Supporting Public Sector Professionalisation in Africa
SIDA Objectives and Funding for the API
The Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has offered The African Professionalisation Initiative nothing but the most fervent support. Through a programme funding agreement with AFROSAI-E to support the professionalisation of public sector accountants and auditors in African governments, SIDA is making significant contribution to the realisation of greater accountability and transparency in the use of public sector resources in Africa. This support is a fundamental catalyst for the realisation of the African Union aspirations articulated in the AU Agenda 2063.
Therese Sjöström, one of SIDA’s program leaders offered words of support and encouragement to the API team during her visit to attend the SIDA annual meetings in Pretoria, South Africa. While observing the API Project Steering Group (PSG) meeting on 31st of January 2023 in Pretoria, Therese articulated the Swedish government’s desire to make a positive contribution to Africa’s progress through noble initiatives such as the African Professionalisation Initiative.
SIDA is Sweden’s government agency for development cooperation. SIDA strives to reduce poverty and oppression around the world. In cooperation with organisations, government agencies and the private sector by investing in sustainable development for all people.
About The API – Our Purpose and Vision
The API is an independent non-profit organisation whose primary objective/ purpose 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’s progress so far has been realised thanks to the funding support from SIDA. API are also grateful to the International Federation of Accountants – IFAC – and other stakeholders for the foundational work with API’s partner organisations (PAFA, AFROSAI-E, CREFIAF & ESAAG) that led to the promotion and crystallisation of the API institution and API learning programs.
The API vision is “an African public sector capacitated with competent, ethical and influential professionals who support accountability, transparency and good financial governance”.
The API aims 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 (currently being represented by the East and Southern African Association of Accountants General (“ESAAG” – and in the near future the Association of African 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”))
The API is committed to creating positive change in the lives of African citizens through realisation of the above purpose and vision. To do this, we rely on the generous support of partners and donors like SIDA. Over the past year, we have made significant progress towards our mission, including:
a) Rollout of the implementation of the API in Zimbabwe
b) Generating interest from 15 African countries to implement the API
c) Completing development of the Accelerated Learning Content targeting un professionalised government accountants and auditors
d) Deployment of high quality and Online Learning Platform accessible from anywhere with internet access
e) Development of a portfolio of high-quality tools and systems for successful in-country implementation
API New Strategic Plan 2024-2026
The API has launched activities for the development of the new strategic plan for the period 2024 to 2026. This new strategy will set out a road map for realisation of the API purpose while seizing the opportunities available to transform human life across the African continent. In particular, the strategy will speak to how API’s support for accountability and transparency in the public sector would contribute to the success of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the African Union’s seven aspirations in the Agenda 2063 AU blue-print. We welcome suggestions and ideas on how to make the API more effective in fulfilling its purpose.
To ensure that our programs are effective and efficient, we have a team of experienced and dedicated staff members who are passionate about making a difference. Staff work within the API committee structure and report to the Executive committee. The Executive Committee oversights the work of the secretariat and in turn reports to the API Governing Council in line with our constitution. The API has developed a stakeholder engagement and communication plan that is used for the purpose of advancing value creating engagements with key stakeholders and the general public.
The above governance arrangement provides oversight and guidance to ensure that we are using available resources efficiently and effectively creating value thereby making a positive impact on the lives of the Citizens of Africa.
The API is currently hosted by the AFROSAI-E and we utilise the strong and resilient AFROSAI-E governance arrangements and due processes to ensure full accountability and efficiency in the use of donor funds and resources made available for API’s programs. The API is in the process of transitioning to an independent entity in line with the API constitution.
Partnerships – For a Better future
We laud SIDA’s support and do thank other development partners and donors – such as IFAC, The African Development Fund, USAID, The Global Fund, GAVI and GIZ – for their interest and support for the African Professionalisation Initiative. The API believes that we should work today in partnership to create the future rather than take for granted that the future will be better.
We publish a quarterly newsletter to provide updates on the available opportunities and the progress being made. We invite you to subscribe to our address book via the API website so that we may get this insightful publication to you.
Capacity development for public sector accountants and auditors is API’s core priority. As such, in addition to the API learning Programmes, we run Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events jointly with our partners. The next career redefining CPD event takes place on the 26th of April 2023.
Please click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuduuvqTMjGNLnhPa0riwxY6uWueUdkl8I
Contact the API team for more details : info@professionalisation.africa