Cotonou, Benin — On 11 and 12 July 2011, ACBF will launch the French version of its flagship publication: Africa Capacity Indicators Report 2011 (ACIR 2011) and disseminate its Strategic Medium Term Plan for 2012-2016.
The Africa Capacity Indicators Report was officially released in Kigali, Rwanda on 9 February 2011 at the Kigali Summit, marking 20 years of existence for the Foundation. This second launch marks ACBF's efforts in covering all geographical and linguistic areas on the Continent. Participants are expected from all Francophone and a few Lusophone countries of the Continent..
The objectives of the ACIR are to examine the key issues and challenges facing countries and cross-border capacity development and cooperation in Africa; to get better theoretical underpinnings to the various capacity building interventions being undertaken on the continent; and to serve as a definitive knowledge product targeting policymakers, public-sector officials, private sector and civil society.
Covering 34 African countries the Report has provided a picture of how capacity development is faring on the continent. It shows that Africa has made laudable efforts to create an enabling environment. Nearly 88% of the countries covered are classified in the highest ranking with regards to their institutional environments. African countries have made significant policy choices for capacity building (Strategy for Poverty Reduction, Medium-Term Strategic Vision, National Strategy for the Development of Statistics). However, progress still needs to be made in the process of implementation. Substantive effort is still required, with respect to individual capacities. Africa, in effect, has created an enabling environment for capacity building, however some of the results are not yet noticeableat the individual level.
Speaking prior to the launch, Dr. Frannie Leautier, ACBF Executive Secretary stated that, "ACBF has been in existence for 20 years and this publication reflects the huge leap forward for capacity development in Africa. It is a publication that puts across the successes, challenges and gaps that we need to address in Africa. The 34 countries featured in the publication are just the beginning, as we aim to involve the entire continent. It is time for Africa to look critically at the capacities as we need in to address new and emerging development challenges."
While in Cotonou, ACBF will present its Strategic Medium Term Plan 2012-2016. "The new strategic plan is about doing business differently", said Dr Léautier. "It seeks to address the key challenges that the continent will face in the coming years, refining and refocusing the operations of ACBF and repositioning the Foundation as a leader, major partner and centre of excellence for capacity development in Africa. We have takeninto account all the current discussion forums on dealing with managing uncertainty, while looking at the same time at Africa's capacity and preparedness in dealing with emerging issues. The 2012 -2016 strategic term plan seeks to consolidate the capacity development demands of the continent,capitalizing on 20 years of lessons learnt by ACBF", Dr Léautier added.
ACBF's new strategic plan highlights Africa's present challenges and the capacities needed to address these challenges. These issues range from the ability of leaders at national and sub national levels to energize societies behind common visions and how they can put in place robust strategic plans and also implement them successfully. The capacity to formulate, analyze and manage the implementation of policies and programs, will be critical, not only at the macroeconomic level, but more specifically at the sectoral, sub national and regional level. Improving public sector delivery and how ministerial development agencies function will be paramount in order to meet these gaps. Space for the creation of dialogue is also needed, together with support for accelerated access to information and analytical capacity among non-state actors and parliamentarians, to enable them to exert influence on policymaking and provide the necessary oversightrequired.
The Republic of Benin is a highly strategic partner for ACBF. The Government of Benin has provided a sustained political and financial support to the Foundation since joining its Board of Governors in 2002. . Since 1998, the Foundation has invested USD 5.8 million towards capacity development interventions in Benin. These include, the Centre d'analyse des Politiques Economiques (CAPE), the Conception et Analyse des Politiques de Développement (CAPOD),theCellule d'Analyse des Politiques de Développement de l'AssembléeNationale (CAPAN) and theSecrétariat National pour le Renforcement des Capacités.
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 eradicationin 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. The current membership of ACBF comprises 35 African countries, 10 non-African countries, the WorldBank, the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Monetary Fund. The African Union currently serves as an Honorary Member of the ACBF Board of Governors.
For further information contact:
b.kone@acbf-pact.org
c.noumon@acbf-pact.org
a.mpunzwana@acbf-pact.org
African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
PO Box 1562, Harare
ZIMBABWE
Tel: + 263 4 700208/210
