The African Union meets at a critical juncture of Africa's search for sustainable development, in greater peace and security. I have no doubt that you share with me the conviction that long-term stability is a key factor for development, and that lack of access to employment is a threat to stability.

Many African countries are celebrating their 50th Anniversary since independence.  Over the 50 years there have been many experiments in economic models for Africa's development, but the pan Africanist ideal has always been on the top of the alternatives.  This is mainly because of the limitations that borders have presented in engaging in Africa's development.

ACBF will soon be launching its new agriculture strategy, aimed at engendering productive and sustainable agricultural production through building the capacity of respective key actors and their interactions in the agricultural value chain.

The Gambia becomes the 35^th African member of the Foundation. The Gambia also becomes the 13^th member of ECOWAS to join the Foundation.  In doing so, The Gambia confirms, beyond its own faith in capacity as a key parameter for the development of the nation, its commitment to capacity development as central in the process of transforming economies of the Continent for a better future of our people.

Chair of ACBF Board of Governors at the 20^th  Anniversary Celebration of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) Serena Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda – 08^th February 2011

To mark the occasion of ACBF’s 20th anniversary, His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, hosted a celebratory Gala Dinner at the Serena Hotel, in Kigali. Representatives from ACBF’s founding partner organizations, were there to cut the birthday cake. HE President Kagame delivered a keynote speech to mark the anniversary.

Speech by Dr. Frannie A. Léautier, Executive Secretary, ACBF

Johannesburg, South Africa, November 15^th