The African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) Management Board, the legal support arm of the African Development Bank, met in Abidjan, to review the institution's activities, work plan and budget for 2020.
"This is an opportunity for us to review and deliberate on ALSF interventions, which contribute meaningfully to development in Africa," ALSF Board Chairperson, Gaston Kenfack, said in his opening remarks.
During the November 27th meeting, the Board commended the ALSF team on the strong performance in 2019. ALSF exceeded its planned number of projects by 22%. These projects contributed significantly to the sustainable development of its Regional Member Countries (RMCs).
Established in 2008, the ALSF is an international organization, hosted by the African Development Bank. Its mandate is to support African countries by providing legal and technical advisory services and capacity building, as well as developing unique knowledge management tools, in sovereign debt litigation, extractives and natural resources, infrastructure and PPPs, and other sovereign related transactions.
Board members provided strategic guidance on key institutional and operational matters to ensure the Facility responds adequately and efficiently to the needs of the Regional Member Countries in the years ahead.
As part of next year's work plan, the ALSF Board endorsed the proposal to organize a Regional Member Countries' meeting in February 2020 to discuss the future and sustainability of the Facility. The expansion of its membership and modalities for RMCs' contribution to the financial sustainability of the Facility will also be discussed.
Board members encouraged the ALSF management to continue to deliver relevant results, and adapt to new opportunities in the rapidly-changing environments of the Regional Member Countries.
Two new members, Eva Jhala and Nimatou Feliho from respectively from Zambia and Benin joined the Facility, bringing a wealth of experience to ALSF.
The ALSF's Management Board is responsible for the efficient and effective conduct of all operations of the Facility, as well as the approval of its Budget and appointment of its Director. It comprises five members of high integrity and competence, who act in their individual capacity, and are appointed by the Governing Council for a three-year, non-renewable term. The current members of the Board include Gaston Kenfack (Cameroon), Eva Jhala (Zambia), Nimatou Feliho (Benin), Bruce Montador (Canada) and Mahomed Rafique (Mozambique).
