Conakry — The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and the Government of the Republic of Guinea signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming Guinea as the 38th African member to the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). The other 37 African members are Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These member countries, represented by their Ministers in charge of Finance or Planning or Economic Development, make up the Board of Governors, the highest policymaking body of the ACBF, together with 4 multilateral agencies and 13 Bi-lateral partners. The ACBF has a strategic MoU with the African Union which currently serves as an Honorary Member.
As a member of ACBF, Guinea joins the highest decision making body of the Foundation, the Board of Governors. This body defines the main strategic orientations of the Foundation in terms of capacity development and also supports its resource mobilisation efforts. ACBF currently has 127 active projects and programs in 45 African countries. The signing ceremony took place alongside the Guinea Economic Forum. In her address at the signing, Dr. Frannie Léautier, ACBF Executive Secretary stated, "the African Capacity Building Foundation has embarked on its Third Strategic Medium Term Plan in 2012 and the support of African states to ACBF is a decisive sign of ownership of the development process of the continent. As Guinea becomes the 38th member, I am also happy to say that the Foundation has been present in the country since 1994 through two projects – the support to National Secretariat for Capacity Building (SENAREC) and the Center for Economic Policy Studies (CEPEC). This membership will revive our partnership and the Foundation is looking forward to supporting the country in tackling the capacity challenges it is facing."
Signing on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Honourable Kerfalla Yansane, Minister of Economy and Finance reiterated that, "I am pleased that Guinea is joining the membership of ACBF. As a former member of the ACBF Executive Board, I know the positive impact that ACBF has had on economic development of African countries. We also hope that the contribution of Guinea will encourage other partners. We trust that ACBF third Strategic Medium Term Plan will help Guinea face the human and institutional capacity challenges we face."
As the 38th member of the Foundation, Guinea pledged USD 500 000 (five hundred thousand United States dollars) to ACBF strategic medium term plan (2012 – 2016).
About the African Capacity Building Foundation
ACBF was established in February 1991. It is the outcome of collaboration between African governments and the international donor community. Its mission is to build sustainable human and institutional capacity for sustainable growth and poverty reduction in Africa. ACBF's vision is for Africa to be recognized for its socio-political and economic capabilities and endowments – a continent with effective institutions and policies acquired through sustained investment in people and institutions. The Foundation aims to become a leader, major partner, and centre of excellence for capacity building in Africa.
For further information on ACBF, please contact:
a.mpunzwana@acbf-pact.org
b.kone@acbf-pact.org
