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SIDA Leads in Empowering Africa’s PFM Capacity Through the API

In the realm of international development, strategic partnerships are instrumental in achieving sustainable economic and social advancements. A standout example of such effective collaboration is the support extended by the Swedish International Cooperation and Development Agency (SIDA) to the African Professionalisation Initiative (API). SIDA, Sweden’s government agency dedicated to international development cooperation, has been pivotal in fueling API’s mission to enhance Public Financial Management (PFM) capacity across Africa.

Visionary Support for PFM Excellence

SIDA’s funding commitment aligns with its broader agenda of reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development globally. The agency engages with various partners, including governments, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, across approximately 35 countries spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The collaboration with API is a testament to SIDA’s commitment to fostering good governance and financial accountability—a cornerstone for sustainable development.

Under the banner of this partnership, API has articulated a clear vision: An African public sector sustainably capacitated with competent, ethical, and influential professionals who support accountability, transparency, and good financial governance. The milestones achieved through SIDA’s support during API’s strategic plans for 2021-2023 and 2024-2026 illustrate a trajectory of significant progress and innovation.

Milestones of Transformation

The collaboration has yielded substantial outcomes in several key areas:

Learning and Development

API has successfully completed and digitized its incumbents’ learning programme and made significant headway in its specialization programmes. The initiation of French translation and contextual adaptations of programmes with help from IFAC, PAFA, GAVI and the Global Fund; addresses the Francophone countries’ linguistic and cultural needs, thus enhancing accessibility and relevance. The African Development Bank has contributed to the development of country-unique content and country baseline studies in addition to the designation of country coordinators to support successful implementation. of The Online Learning Platform has been regularly updated and maintained to ensure a consistent and effective learning experience.

Country Implementation

The API’s country engagement has expanded through MOUs with Zimbabwe, Botswana, Liberia, Burkina Faso, and Gambia, laying the groundwork for country-specific programme rollouts. The development of clear guidelines and tools supports these initiatives, ensuring that each country implementation is tailored and effective.

Brand Awareness and Visibility

API’s strategic communications efforts have expanded its LinkedIn followership from 100 to over 6,500 since 2021, significantly boosting its digital presence and engagement. The publication of high-quality articles and quarterly newsletters has been crucial in communicating API’s impact and vision to a broader audience.

Sustainability Initiatives

Strategic recruitment and robust funding models are in place to ensure API’s operational longevity and impact. Additional support from other donors, including the African Development Bank and various international partners such as: International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and PAFA MOU partners – GAVI, The Global Fund, USAID, underscores the broad-based endorsement and trust in API’s mission.

Looking Forward

As API continues to forge ahead under its new strategic plan for 2024-2026, SIDA’s support remains a catalyst for ongoing innovation and excellence in public financial management in Africa. The enduring partnership not only reflects SIDA’s commitment to fostering good governance globally but also API’s pivotal role in transforming PFM practices to achieve enduring economic stability and growth across African nations.

Through these concerted efforts, SIDA and API are setting new benchmarks in public financial management, creating a scalable model of governance excellence that promises to inspire and replicate across the developing world, driving towards a future where good governance is a universal norm.

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”)).

The API is not a PAO

The API is not a PAO but rather an enabler or a catalyst for the professionalisation of public sector accountants and auditors to realise acceleration of greater accountability and transparency in the public sector. This will lead to growth or increase in the number of professional accountants eligible for membership in country PAOs thus making those PAOs more effective in delivering value to governments through a stronger accountancy profession within the country, continentally (through PAFA) and at the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) level.

The API Houses / Learning Programmes

You can learn offline and update your records the next time you have access to the internet.  Learning takes 12 to 18 months to complete.

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)-Implemented ✔ 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) – Book an event here
House 6 – Sector specific learning programmes or certifications or Micro credentials e.g. Learning Programme on performance audits for health sector commodities.

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