This report delivers a comprehensive analysis of Africa’s export potential, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. It provides valuable insights into high-growth sectors, emerging trends, and actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing Africa’s export capabilities. The report underscores the critical role of private sector development in driving economic growth and job creation. It emphasizes the necessity of fostering an enabling environment for businesses, particularly SMEs, to capitalize on export opportunities, especially under the AfCFTA framework. Central themes include technical assistance and capacity development, with a focus on building skills and knowledge within African governments, institutions, and individuals to boost their international trade participation and competitiveness. Released at a pivotal moment, this report aligns with strategic priorities in infrastructure, trade financing, agricultural value chains, and support for women and youth entrepreneurship. It offers insights to guide future interventions, tackle challenges, and leverage opportunities for sustainable economic growth across the continent. The report was produced by BADEA together with partners, including the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Shared Value Africa Initiative (SVAI), and the Institute for Competitiveness.
On the 20th-21st of February 2024, the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), in partnership with the department in charge of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM) of the African Union, and sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan through the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) will convene the training of Ambassadors and Diplomats accredited to the African Union to share perspectives on promoting the Acceleration of the AfCFTA Implementation and the Realization of the African Trade and Economic Integration.
[Harare, Zimbabwe, 18 January 2024]
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), in partnership with the department in charge of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM), and sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan through the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) is organizing the Training of African Ambassadors and Diplomats accredited to the AU on the 20th -21st of February 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The training is designed explicitly for African Ambassadors and diplomats currently posted at Permanent missions to the African Union. It aims to enhance their understanding of the African Continental Free Trade Area and equip them with the knowledge and skills to accelerate its implementation effectively. Governments are encouraged to take advantage of the AfCTFA to promote inclusive and structural transformation in African countries to increase the volume of intra-African trade.
Representatives of the private sector from countries that have already started trading under the AfCFTA and presently participating in the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) are invited to the training. These countries include Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Tunisia. In addition, the African Manufacturers Association and the African Business Council have been invited to participate.
The training of African Ambassadors and Diplomats will generate valuable insights and policy recommendations that can drive the African Continental Free Trade Area forward, significantly increasing intra-African trade, improving regional integration, economic growth, job creation, and, ultimately, better livelihoods for the continent’s people.
By engaging African Ambassadors and diplomats, this training provides the perfect opportunity to promote collaboration among member states and enhance the coordination required to speed up the implementation of the AfCFTA. This will ultimately lead to the realization of the African Economic Community as outlined in the Abuja Treaty. Their involvement can assist in building consensus and mobilizing support for the necessary reforms and policy adjustments at both national and regional levels.
The training of African Ambassadors and Diplomats aims to tackle challenges, exchange best practices, and synchronize strategies. This session will help accelerate the execution of the African Continental Free Trade Area, unlocking its enormous potential for economic integration, trade facilitation, and sustainable development throughout Africa.
The training is scheduled for two days, on the 20th and 21st of February 2024. The event will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and conducted in a hybrid format. English and French interpretations will be available simultaneously. ACBF is committed to working with bilateral partners such as Azerbaijan and multilateral partners like the AUC, UNECA, AfCFTA Secretariat, the International Trade Center, and the private sector such as the African Business Council and the Pan African Manufacturers Association to promote intra-African trade and cooperation, leading to a vibrant and prosperous continent.
The African Capacity Building Foundation is the premier partner for capacity development in Africa. With a mission to develop the human capital and institutions required to enable Africa’s inclusive and sustainable development, ACBF has worked to enhance institutional and human capacity of African countries, including training more than 50,000 personnel in civil service who hold critical positions in Ministries of Finance, Planning or Economic Development and Central Banks throughout the region. The African Union has granted ACBF specialized agency status for Capacity Development. ACBF’s headquarters is in Harare, with regional offices in Nairobi for East and Central Africa, Accra for West and Central Africa, and a Liaison Office in Addis Ababa.
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For more information, contact:
Fatou Diouf, Head of Communications and Influencing
You can email us at comms@acbf-pact.org
Monitoring and reporting align with ACBF’s commitment to supporting African countries in achieving Goal 2063, ensuring effective implementation for Africa’s development. This 4th workshop, entitled “Drawing lessons from countries with good practices in reporting on Agenda 2063,” was co-organized by the African Union Commission and ACBF in Dakar, Senegal, from 6 to 10 May 2024. Member States represented it that demonstrated good practices in preparing national reports on Agenda 2063 during the first decade of implementation – mainly Algeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Senegal, Togo, and Uganda. Representatives from select countries shared lessons learned from the first decade of implementation, including monitoring and reporting experiences, followed by the consolidation of key learnings. Primary outcomes were presented on the Agenda 2063 Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) and its core indicators, coupled with the need to establish multi-stakeholder support mechanisms for STYIP monitoring and reporting. An action plan for implementing workshop recommendations was developed. Outcomes included strengthened capacity to monitor and report, enhanced knowledge sharing, and collaboration among participants at the national level.
The Africa Think Tank Platform Call for Proposals to Advance Policy Research Across the Continent
The African Union Commission will launch a call for proposals on July 24, 2025, for its five-year, $50 million Africa Think Tank Platform initiative, offering competitive grants and institutional support to strengthen policy research institutions across the continent.
The Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP) is an initiative of the African Union Commission in partnership with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), with funding from the World Bank Group.
The call for proposals marks the operational launch of the initiative, which aims to enhance evidence-based policymaking and cross-border collaboration among African research institutions.
The call for proposals will select between three and five consortia, each comprising three to five African think tanks, to receive grants of approximately US$10 million for up to two and a half (2.5) years. Selected consortia will conduct collaborative research on regional integration issues across six priority areas: economic transformation and governance, climate change adaptation, regional trade and value chains, food security, human capital development, and digitalization. Gender inclusion will be integrated across all thematic areas. Each consortium is expected to address at least four of these priority areas, with grants supporting policy-relevant research, policy uptake, institutional capacity building, and initiatives to improve the representation of women in professional roles within think tanks.
The launch event will take place at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa and will be streamed virtually for continental participation. Think tanks have until September 24, 2025, to submit proposals, with award notifications scheduled for November 14, 2025.
Addressing Continental Challenges
The platform responds to multiple interconnected policy challenges facing Africa, including political instability, governance deficits, economic inequality, climate change impacts, health crises, and food insecurity.
Many African countries also struggle with financial constraints, external debt, capacity gaps, and fragmented policy implementation.
Supporting Regional Integration
The platform will facilitate partnerships between think tanks and policymakers while promoting regional policy harmonization.
It will also create a dynamic and accessible policy knowledge repository to support evidence-based decision-making, aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and global development goals.
Collaborative Research Model
The ATTP addresses common obstacles facing African think tanks, including limited capacity, funding constraints, and restricted access to policymakers.
The initiative emphasizes collaborative, cross-border research to prevent duplication and support the effective implementation of policies in all member states.
Recent economic shocks, including those from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, have highlighted the need for strong African institutions capable of effective regional decision-making.
The platform seeks to deliver economies of scale by supporting research that transcends national boundaries.
Application Process and Support
Eligible applicants must demonstrate strong track records in public policy research, regional collaboration, and institutional capacity.
The competitive selection process will prioritize think tanks capable of generating practical, high-quality policy solutions.
Selected consortia will receive funding, institutional support, capacity development, and access to a continental network linking them with policymakers and peer institutions.
The initiative aims to strengthen African institutions and expand their influence in shaping development outcomes.
Ongoing Engagement
Regular informational webinars will provide updates and live question-and-answer sessions for interested applicants.
More details will be distributed via email and through ATTP and partner organization websites.
The platform represents what organizers describe as a homegrown solution that could serve as a model for policy infrastructure development.
Over the next five years, the ATTP will support think tanks and policymakers in creating sustainable, African-led solutions based on evidence from ground-level projects.
The initiative has the potential to create new employment opportunities in evidence-based policymaking for sustainable development, while redefining development partnerships and policy research across Africa by emphasizing local knowledge and expertise.
Organizations interested in participating can access information about eligibility criteria and submission processes during the July 24 launch event, which will include presentations on the ATTP vision and a question-and-answer session with the Secretariat.
For more information about the call for proposals and livestream registration, interested parties should contact the ATTP Secretariat at attpinfo@africanunion.org. Updates will be available through the official ATTP page: https://africathinktankplatform.africa.
For more information, contact:
Fatou Diouf, Head of Communications and Influencing
comms@theacbf.org
Follow us on:
www.linkedin.com/company/africa-capacity-building-foundation
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African Union, ACBF, and AUDA-NEPAD Launch Call for Proposals to Strengthen Africa’s Policy Research Capacity
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 24 July 2025
The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and AUDA-NEPAD, has launched a competitive Call for Proposals under the Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP). This transformative initiative elevates African think tanks as architects of cross-border development policy. The World Bank provides strategic funding support for this ground-breaking program.
The Call for Proposals invites consortia of 3 to 5 African think tanks to pursue multi-year funding for collaborative, policy-relevant research across six thematic areas, including economic transformation and governance, climate change, regional trade, food security, human capital development, and digitalization. Between three and five consortia will be selected and receive grants of approximately US$10 million for up to two and a half (2.5) years to support programs aligned with the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and regional integration priorities.
Speaking at the hybrid launch event at African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Her Excellency Selma Malika Haddadi, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, highlighted the initiative’s broader vision by stating, “This represents a strategic investment in Africa’s ability to lead its own policy conversations with rigor, data, and indigenous expertise.”
The Call marks the first operational phase of the ATTP, aiming to establish a continent-wide network of authoritative institutions that produce evidence-based knowledge, engage decision-makers, and contribute to unified policy frameworks.
Application Timeline
- Proposal Deadline: 24 September 2025
- Evaluation and Selection: 17 October 2025
- Expected Award Notification: 14 November 2025
- Expected Grant Disbursement: 19 December 2025
Regular webinars and a help desk will support applicants throughout the process. Think tanks interested in applying are encouraged to review the full application package and submission guidelines at https://africathinktankplatform.africa/callforproposal.
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About the Africa Think Tank Platform
The Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP) is a five-year, US$50 million initiative implemented by the African Union Commission (AUC) and supported by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and AUDA NEPAD, with funding from the World Bank. The ATTP aims to strengthen Africa’s policy research ecosystem and advance evidence-based policymaking on cross-border development priorities.
The ATTP responds to the need for strong, well-resourced African think tanks that can generate and apply context-specific knowledge to shape regional and continental agendas. As emphasized in the Africa Capacity Report 2017, creating enabling environments for local research institutions is essential to achieving sustainable development across the continent.
For interviews or media inquiries, please contact:
Fatou Diouf
Head of Communications & Influencing
The African Capacity Building Foundation
2 Fairbairn Drive, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
Email: Comms@acbf-pact.org
At the 2025 World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, Ireland, global health leaders issued a renewed call to action through the Dublin Declaration. With its five clear priorities—raising tobacco taxes, countering industry interference, banning advertising and sponsorship, addressing environmental harms, and strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration. The declaration reflects a shared urgency to end the global tobacco epidemic. The continent’s critical gap isn’t ambition—it’s institutional capacity.
For Africa, however, realizing this vision demands more than bold commitments. It requires building strong, coordinated, and sustainable institutions capable of designing, implementing, monitoring, and enforcing tobacco control policies.
Bridging the Implementation Gap in Africa
Despite growing momentum across the continent, a significant implementation gap persists. While 44 African countries have ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), only a few—such as Ethiopia, Mauritius, and Ghana—have made strong progress in rolling out the MPOWER measures.
Many countries still face:
- Weak inter-ministerial coordination on FCTC implementation.
- Insufficient technical expertise and tools to monitor taxation, counter illicit trade, or enforce bans.
- Underfunded national tobacco control programs, often reliant on short-term external funding.
- Limited integration of tobacco control into national development plans, health systems, and education strategies.
Without targeted investments in institutional capacity, the aspirations of the Dublin Declaration will remain out of reach.
ACBF’s Role: Investing in Institutional Resilience
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)—the AU’s specialized agency for capacity development—has been advancing tobacco control efforts in Africa since 2014. Now in its third program phase (2023–2027), ACBF continues to support governments, civil society, and research institutions to implement WHO-FCTC provisions effectively.
Key Achievements:
- Supported the adoption of tobacco legislation in The Gambia, Gabon, Ethiopia, and Mauritania.
- Strengthened the operational capacity of at least 13 civil society organizations (CSOs) to monitor, advocate, and respond to industry tactics.
- Equipped CSO organizations and University Departments with governance systems, leadership training, and tailored resource mobilization strategies.
- Helped establish national tobacco control committees in countries such as Zambia, Niger, and Benin.
Unlike short-term project models, ACBF’s approach focuses on long-term institutional sustainability, embedding tobacco control within national systems and capacities that can endure beyond donor cycles.
Aligning with the Dublin Declaration: Strategic Priorities
To translate the Dublin Declaration into concrete action in Africa, ACBF- together with other regional partners in tobacco control will continue scaling support in five key areas:
1. Sustainable Financing Through Tobacco Taxes
- Build technical skills in Ministries of Finance for tax modeling and simulation.
- Support the creation and management of national tobacco control funds.
- Empower CSOs to monitor implementation and advocate for sustainable funding.
2. Countering Industry Interference
- Promote adoption of the Illicit Trade Protocol.
- Develop conflict-of-interest policies aligned with FCTC Article 5.3.
- Strengthen watchdog institutions and trace-and-track mechanisms.
3. Enforcing Bans on Promotion and Advertising
- Support content regulation in entertainment industries like Nollywood.
- Equip media authorities with tools to monitor digital platforms.
4. Addressing Environmental Impacts
- Engage Ministries of Environment and Agriculture on crop diversification and pollution reduction.
- Support environmental impact assessments and data tracking.
5. Promoting Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
- Facilitate coordination among national agencies, the AU, Africa CDC, and RECs.
- Build research institutions’ ability to generate local evidence for policy influence.
- Expand learning platforms through initiatives like the Ubora Academy and regional training centers.
From Promise to Progress
The Dublin Declaration represents a vital global recommitment to end the tobacco epidemic. But in Africa, where policy ambition often outpaces institutional readiness, building resilient institutions must be the priority.
ACBF remains committed to this agenda. Through targeted investments and strategic partnerships, we will continue to strengthen the tobacco control community by empowering governments, CSOs, and research bodies to lead Africa’s response with independence, credibility, and sustainability.
Ending tobacco use in Africa is possible—but only if we build the institutions capable of delivering lasting change.
For more information, contact:
Fatou Diouf, Head of Communications and Influencing
comms@theacbf.org
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www.linkedin.com/company/africa-capacity-building-foundation
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Geneva, Switzerland, 13–15 May 2025
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) participated in the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) in Geneva, Switzerland, joining African and international leaders, policymakers, and experts to advance the continent’s digital transformation and address the critical need for cyber resilience.
At this global forum, ACBF strongly urged African countries and partners to adopt a united, homegrown approach to building the continent’s cyber capacity—emphasizing African ownership, collaboration, and practical investment in skills and systems.
The conference provided a vital platform for dialogue and partnership, with a strong focus on Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity capacity building. The key highlights of the conference were:
Africa Declaration on Cybersecurity Capacity Building:
A central outcome of the conference was the presentation and firm endorsement of the Africa Declaration on Cybersecurity Capacity Building by the participants. This declaration reflects a united commitment by African stakeholders and partners to prioritize and coordinate efforts in building cybersecurity capacity across the continent. It outlines shared principles and concrete actions to foster cooperation, resource mobilization, innovation, and the development of a skilled cyber workforce.
Focus on Collaboration and Sustainable Investment:
Discussions highlighted the importance of working together across sectors and borders to address Africa’s cybersecurity challenges. Participants emphasized that building cyber capacity is not a luxury, but an essential part of Africa’s development. There was a strong call for innovative approaches to funding, knowledge exchange, and the strengthening of regional and continental partnerships.
Advancing Practical Capacity Building:
The conference showcased a range of practical models and experiences in cybersecurity training, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing. Emphasis was placed on hands-on education, the development of technical expertise, and the need to empower Africa’s growing digital workforce to meet evolving security threats.
Commitment to Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Growth:
Participants reaffirmed the need for inclusive strategies that ensure all segments of society benefit from digital transformation, while remaining protected against cyber risks. The importance of digital literacy, public awareness, and ongoing investment in people and systems was underscored throughout the discussions.
ACBF’s Commitment
As Africa’s leading institution for capacity development, ACBF remains dedicated to supporting member states and regional organizations in building robust cyber capacity. The Foundation will continue to foster partnerships, promote best practices, and facilitate access to training and resources, ensuring that Africa’s digital transformation is secure, inclusive, and sustainable. ACBF will continue to advocate for a unified, coordinated, and homegrown approach—where member states, institutions, and partners work hand in hand to secure the continent’s digital future.
Looking Ahead
The GC3B conference and the Africa Declaration on Cybersecurity Capacity Building reaffirm the importance of collective action and knowledge sharing. ACBF looks forward to leveraging the insights and partnerships gained in Geneva to further advance Africa’s cyber resilience and digital growth.
For more information, contact:
Fatou Diouf, Head of Communications and Influencing
comms@theacbf.org
Follow us on:
www.linkedin.com/company/africa-capacity-building-foundation
www.twitter.com/ACBF_Official
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https://theacbf.org