Africa’s development achievements in the years following independence are visible, but varied. Prior to the recent global economic crisis, real GDP growth in Africa was above 5% - and with broad macro-economic stability. The overall prospects for sustainable poverty reduction seemed good. However, the financial crisis, while not impacting Africa to the extent initially envisaged, negated some of the significant gains made in the last decade. The crisis also highlighted specific demands for capacity development, such as the skills to manage reserves and spending programs, but also those related to sustaining reforms in complex global and national environment.

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), with its mission to build human and institutional capacity for sustainable growth and poverty reduction in Africa, recognised the challenges presented by this crisis and the important role to be played by capacity building in helping countries to respond in the future. ACBF’s emerging strategy is also derived from the Foundation’s experiences in the past.

Over the last two decades, ACBF has focused on building sustainable, effective institutions and policies to deliver development results for poverty reduction. ACBF’s successes are attributable to the Foundation’s approach; primarily its ownership, flexibility and innovation. As a catalyst and strategic development partner, ACBF has worked in fragile states, such as Rwanda and Liberia for example, to respond to the urgent needs of such societies, by identifying and filling gaps within the current capacities of local and international actors. At present, ACBF supports 24 of the 29 countries classified as being fragile or post-conflict states. In reformer states like Burkina Faso and Tanzania, the ACBF has played a critical role in supporting country-level dialogue between the public and private sector, as well as supporting the professionalization of the voices of civil society, among others. The Foundation also transcends political barriers, which are often a key factor affecting the development process on the continent. Support to national and sub-regional parliaments is a key example of how the Foundation helps to build the capacity of dynamic oversight entities. As an institution responding to country demands, ACBF scales up its activities via partnerships, strategic alliances and coordination activities. Putting in place an innovative approach to capacity development, ACBF has drawn lessons from experiences across sectors and themes and also across various levels of engagement. Lessons learned from more than 15 years of support in the creation of Think Tanks and Policy Units in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Mali, and Senegal, and Zimbabwe, have allowed the Foundation to embed effective approaches to capacity development in its other interventions, as well as supporting the creation of similar policy hubs in other countries.

In addition, ACBF prides itself in its Leadership as the foremost, apolitical, institution in Africa where people go to for ideas on capacity development. ACBF is connected to the key institutions that deliver capacity results on the continent, and funds creative trials on ways to build capacity. Partnerships are also key to the Foundation’s success and ACBF operates as a credible, value adding resource to capacity development institutions. Excellence is another guiding principle, where ACBF is recognized as an organization that has contextual knowledge about Africa, has the capability to co-ordinate the actions of others in capacity development and is joined-up with strategic institutions at the regional and sub-regional level. ACBF is known by key stakeholders and seen as a major source of support for getting things done. ACBF is also the only foundation in Africa that focuses on “human and institutional capacities” on a regional level.

Looking ahead, in 2011 ACBF will celebrate 20 years of capacity development in Africa. The 20th Anniversary is an opportunity to review the past and build on lessons learned. The Foundation will use this milestone to reposition itself and address the ongoing and pressing capacity challenges facing the continent. High level forums, lectures and learning events will be held throughout the year, culminating in the launch of the inaugural African Capacity Indicators Flagship report on February 8th 2011. Now working in 44 countries on the continent, the Foundation will seek to learn lessons from past experiences, consolidate the gains from efforts at sector and country level, and seek opportunities for scaling up results through smart program designs and effective partnerships. In particular, ACBF will continue to support strategic interventions, using them as opportunities for transformational change.

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