African body plays a leading role in capacity-building

Established in 1991, the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), a partnership between African governments and the international donor community, is enabling Africa to build its own capacity, says Executive Secretary, Frannie Leautier. She was recently in Brussels to explain more about ACBF’s aims and activities to European Union (EU) institutions. The body has, to date, funded 246 programmes in 44 Sub-Saharan African nations at both national and regional levels to the tune of $US400M.

Many donor agencies, including the European Union (EU), provide capacity-building support to Sub-Saharan Africa, notably within budget support programmes. This is targeted at building professional skills within administrations and other institutions. They frequently involve the participation of European expertise.

ACBF’s aim, says Frannie Lautier, is be the leading African institution in building sustainable human and institutional capacity. It runs a range of programmes to improve public sector economic policy management, financial management and accountability; strengthen national parliaments and parliamentary institutions; develop national statistical systems; and also increase professional skills in the private sector and civil society. The body is largely funded by the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The World Bank. ACBF has 48 member countries, including Sub-Saharan African nations, some EU and other developed nations.

Find out more on www.acbf-pact.org

Debra Percival