Launch of ACBF 20th Anniversary Celebrations: February 09, 2010 - Harare, Zimbabwe

On the 9th of February 2010, ACBF launched the celebrations that will mark 20 years of its work in capacity development in Africa. On the same day in 2011, ACBF will celebrate 20 years since its establishment in 1991.  The launch ceremony was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, attended by a cross section of guests who included senior government officials, city of Harare authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, partner institutions supported by ACBF, the business community, representatives of institutions of higher learning and ACBF staff.

From left to right:  Mr. Lare Sisay, Interim Chair, ACBF Executive Board and Dr. Dieynaba Tandian, ACBF Manager Operations, Southern and East Africa

The Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors,  H.E. Sten Rylander, who is also Sweden’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, kicked off the ceremony with an opening address.  He applauded the strides which ACBF has made over the past nineteen years and noted that the Foundation was well geared to move to new heights under the leadership of the new Executive Secretary.

“ACBF, like any other institution, has many challenges to confront; and some of these challenges have been at the forefront during this last year.  However, I am pleased to share with you that we are now making a lot of progress in dealing with these problems, mainly thanks to the excellent work carried out by the new Management team under the leadership of the Foundation’s   new and distinguished Executive Secretary - Dr Frannie Léautier. As most of you are now aware, Dr Leautier is a Tanzanian national, who brings a wealth of experience on risk management and leadership development to the Foundation, having served as Vice President of the World Bank. There could not have been a better choice to address the challenges that ACBF has experienced in the past”.   

He underscored the need for ACBF’s development partners to rally behind the new strategic direction. “As the institution seeks to effectively transform itself and  implement its  Strategic  Medium -Term Plan (SMTP) , let us all support it as development partners – the donors, the African countries, as well as the private sector and civil society. Innovative resource mobilization is required to finance the various projects and programmes. This is an appeal to both traditional and non-traditional donors.  The time has come for concerted efforts by everyone committed to Africa’s development to come forth and play their part.

Delivering the Opening Address, H.E Mr. Sten Rylander, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors

Today, as we mark the launch of   20 years of capacity development in Africa, let us together, in partnership, rally behind ACBF and resolve to build sustainable capacity for poverty reduction in Africa. “
In his opening address, His Worship, the Mayor of Harare, M. A. Masunda highlighted the need for stepped up support to local authorities so as to enhance their effective delivery of services at the local level, especially within ongoing decentralizations reforms in most African countries, which required capacity strengthening at various levels. He also pointed out the need to enhance the participation of women in local government. 

Delivering the key note address, Mr. Mutasa Dzinotizei , Principal Director, Finance and Taxation, who represented the Minister of Finance of Zimbabwe, highlighted the projects which the Foundation has supported since its estblishment in 1991 in Zimbabwe.  He noted that these projects were making signification contribution to the development of a critical mass of human resource capacity which is vital for sustainable socio-economic growth and development in the country.  He also commended ongoing ACBF and relevant key institutions as well as donor partners in Zimbabwe of developing a more holistic country capacity building and development programme. With regard to the current economic and development challenges in Zimbabwe, he said this would “go a long way in bridging the capacity gaps that have developed over the years”.  

From left to right: His Worship, Mr. M.A. Masunda, Mayor of Harare; H.E. Mr. Sten Rylander,  Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors (centre); and Mr. Mutasa Dzinotizei, Principal Director, Finance and Taxation, Ministry of Finance in the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe

 The ACBF Executive Secretary, Dr Frannie Léautier added her voice to this occasion in a video address.  Dr. Léautier stated that over the past 19 years ACBF has grown from a small project of the World Bank to become a fully-fledged independent institution which, to-date, has committed well over US$350 million to Africa’s capacity development agenda.  She underscored the imperative for  Africa to create the necessary environment and put in place appropriate systems  to address its capacity and skills gaps, as this were still direly required  to take forward Africa’s national and regional development as well as for effective participation in the global economy. She also stressed the need for prioritizing as the capacity was needed in almost every sector in every county in Africa. Subsequently, ACBF, on its part, would continue with on-going efforts aimed at bolstering the public and private sectors, empowering civil society, and engendering institutional leadership and good governance.  “In so doing, ACBF will catalyze fundamental change in a way that distinguishes it from other players in the field of capacity development. Dr. Léautier further added that  ACBF would step up its focus on results, drawing from its 19 years of field experience, so as to develop a track record of results that come from the “ quality of ACBF’s portfolio,  the effectiveness with which employs resources, and an adjustment in its operations and procedures premised  on evaluation and learning.”  She emphasized that   ACBF would seek out strategic partnerships, leverage its 19 years capacity development experience and building upon areas of proven achievement, in order to forge ahead.

Mr. Lare Sisay, Interim Chair of the ACBF Executive Board and give the closing remarks.  He  called for increased donor support to  ACBF as it embarked on its transformation process.  He noted that ACBF had successfully undertaken a human resources audit and a fiduciary assessment as part of its change process.  Mr Sisay also underscored the need for increased partnership and support to the cause of capacity development in Africa, to take forward Africa’s development.

A major highlight of the launch ceremony was the ACBF success stories in capacity development in Zimbabwe, narrated by the representatives of the institutions which have received financial support from the Foundation.  These include the Macro Economic Finance Institute ( MEFMI) ,  the Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis Research Unit (ZEPARU), the Public Sector Management Training Programme ( Africa University), the Women’s University in Africa (WUA) and the National Consultative Forum (NECF).

A closing ceremony will be held in Harare, Zimbabwe in 2012 to mark the end of ACBF's 20th Anniversary.