Group Photograph of participants and guests at the official opening ceremony of APIF Annual Meeting.

On November 8-9, 2007, the ACBF held the first annual meeting of the African Policy Institutes Forum (APIF) in Abuja, Nigeria. As one of ACBFs knowledge networks under the auspices of the Knowledge Management and Program Support Department, APIF is a continental knowledge network that brings together African policy research and specialized training institutions as members. The aim of the Forum is to provide a platform for African policy institutes to collectively leverage their knowledge, share information and best practices as a community to continually improve their performances; enhance individual and collective effectiveness in national, regional and continental policy arenas; collectively review, assist in the design and assessment of the technical soundness and feasibility of major regional and continental policy and program initiatives; and offer a common front and viewpoint through a clearly articulated position to economic governance issues on the continent. Launched in 2005, APIF seeks to serve as a platform and community of practice for knowledge, information and experience sharing; mutual support; and collaborative works among African policy institutes and specialized training institutions.

As ACBF embarks on its second Strategic Medium Term Plan (2007-2011), it is enhancing its mandate of becoming a learning and knowledge based institution. The establishing and capacitating of ACBF knowledge networks is part of the process of creating an African critical mass. Knowledge is a critical driver in todays economies as it is an enabler of growth and development. ACBF recognizes this importance and therefore is striving to enhance its peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing agenda.

ACBFs knowledge management strategy is lodged on the premise that, as Africas premier capacity building institution, it is its mandate to continue to assist countries on the continent to integrate key knowledge-related policy components in their development strategies, improve relevant economic incentives and institutions, upgrade their educational and training systems, build and enhance information infrastructure and strengthen development research. APIF, as a knowledge network, will, on an annual basis, discuss pertaining issues that are high of the African development agenda.

The first annual meeting was attended by a total of 79 participants drawn from policy analysis and research institutes, training institutions, and advocacy institutions; partner institutions including the African Development Bank (ADB); CIDA, the African Union Commission (AUC); IDRC; OECD; and ITC/UNCTAD/WTO; ACBF-sponsored technical Advisory Panels and Networks (TAP-NETs); and ACBF Executive Board.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Mrs. Nenadi Usman, Former Minister of Finance, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She highlighted a few points stating that the timing and significance of this meeting cannot be understated, especially given the increasing attention currently being focused on knowledge creation, intellectual capital and capacity building as key facets of sustainable development; and in relation to ACBF, the meeting therefore represents a landmark in the strategic vision of the institution, as it seeks to further enhance and entrench the Forums central role in knowledge generation and sharing on the continent. This in turn is essential for the Foundation to make a lasting impact on the capacity needs of Africas development challenges.

The two-day meeting was dedicated to discussions on four topical development issues confronting the continent today. These included Recent Reforms and Growth Performances of African Economies a Ranking of Strong and Weak Performers; Continuing Reliance on External Technical Experts for Policy Analysis and Design A Challenge to Policy Institutes; the Link Between Policy Analysis and Research and the Policymaking Process - the Experience and Continuing Challenges; Chinas Soaring Influence in Africa Medium to Long-Term Development Implications. The second day was dedicated to deliberations of the institutional structure and operational modalities for APIF as well as electing members of the APIF Bureau.