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ACBF to focus on capacity for African regional integration

Lusaka
Zambia
07 Mar, 2014
Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie delivering his speech at the official opening of the SSG workshop in Lusaka, Zambia. ZIPAR Executive Director Dr. Pamela Nakamba-Kabaso and Economic Association of Zambia president Mr. Isaac Ngoma listening to ACBF Executive Secretary Prof. Emmanuel Nnadodzie’s speechThe African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) Executive Secretary Professor Emmanuel Nnadozie says the organisation has achieved its mission of building human, institutional and organizational capacity in a sustainable manner adding that the ZIPAR Executive Director, Dr. Pamela Nakamba-Kabaso who benefited from ACBF support was a shining example of the capacity building programme.
 
Speaking during the opening of the ACBF Strategic Studies Group (SSG) inaugural workshop at Hotel Intercontinental in Lusaka on 7th March 2014, Prof. Nnadozie said that his vision was to bring capacity building back to the centre of development programmes in the foundation. He added that the establishment of think-tanks and the building of capacity of middle level management had contributed to the significant economic growth in many member countries.
 
Prof. Nnadozie remarked that before ACBF, many African countries such as Ethiopia had few Economists at PhD level but now they were many and helping to drive development.
 
From a human capacity dimension, ACBF has gone beyond. If anyone is in doubt that ACBF can build capacity, they should come and see this woman (Dr. Pamela Nakamba-Kabaso), she benefited from ACBF support and she is a very capable person”, he stated.
 
Earlier, the ZIPAR Executive Director in her welcome remarks to the SSG delegates mentioned that she benefited from an ACBF scholarship through the Ministry of Finance to pursue a Masters in Economics, an initiative which she said changed the picture of economic and social development in Zambia.
 
The ACBF Executive Secretary also stressed the importance of the SSG workshop which he said brought together a global pool of technical and professional experts that will guide and advise the Foundation on specific research areas of critical importance to Africa. This will enable ACBF proactively identify and address pressing development issues confronting the continent.
 
After almost 10 years of existence, the ACBF subjected its Knowledge Management (KM) function to an independent evaluation whose report in October 2011 revealed that amongst other issues there was an apparent disconnect between the key ACBF Technical Advisory Panels and Networks (TAPNETs) and the Foundation’s Operations. Also, the activities of the network were found to be not in sync with the strategic objectives of the Foundation’s Third Strategic Medium Term Plan (SMTP III) thus the evaluation report recommended the redesign of the TAPNETs into a more dynamic network to be known as the Strategic Studies Group.
 
The Foundation, adopted the evaluation recommendation and communicated its decision to redesign the TAPNETs into the SSG to network members at the last 8th Annual TAPNET Meeting, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in November 2011.

Read More on The ZIPAR Quarterly Issue 1, April 2014

Partnership Spotlight

Partnership Spotlight

An ICCASA Story
Advancing Climate Adaptation and Sustainable Development in Africa

“Achieving equitable and sustainable development in Africa necessitates addressing the critical challenge of climate change”
Mamadou Biteye, ACBF Executive Secretary.

This Partnership Spotlight highlights collaborative efforts between the ACBF and  Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa (ICCASA), an alliance targeting climate adaptation strategies focusing on inclusivity and gender equality. The coalition aims to bridge the gap towards a more resilient future for the continent.

Beyond resource provision, the ACBF-ICCASA partnership empowers ICCASA with the knowledge and expertise to champion social inclusion and gender equality within climate change policies, strategies, and actions. This targeted approach tackles complex development challenges by prioritizing the voices of marginalized and vulnerable groups. Through collaborative efforts, ICCASA fosters the development of gender-responsive and inclusive climate policies and actions. This ensures a seat at the table for women, youth, indigenous people, those with disabilities, and vulnerable communities, paving the way for a more just and equitable focus towards a climate-resilient Africa.

The partnership's commitment extends beyond initial empowerment. ACBF's flagship program, Strengthening African Leadership for Climate Adaptation (SALCA), equips ICCASA with the tools and skills, offering a comprehensive package, including financial management, resource mobilization, and targeted capacity building to address identified institutional and personnel gaps. Baseline assessments establish benchmarks for progress while knowledge-sharing workshops foster collaboration in crafting impactful solutions. This emphasis on cooperation ensures all stakeholders have a voice, shaping effective adaptation strategies for a more resilient Africa.

ICCASA translates its mission into action through a diverse program portfolio. Initiatives like Strengthening the Voices of Women with Disabilities (STREVOW) empower women with the tools and knowledge to actively participate in policy discussions. #AllVoicesCount dialogues complement this by fostering inclusive online dialogue and broadening participation in climate action. Recognizing the importance of future generations, ICCASA's Empowering Climate and Gender Champions program mentors future leaders, especially women and young girls.

The partnership's impact extends beyond policy. Initiatives like the Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Project equip communities with the tools to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters. Evidence-Based Climate Policy and Actions for All ensures climate policies are grounded in robust evidence. Further supporting their commitment, ICCASA champions the Inclusive Climate Adaptation Planning Guidelines and the Gender, Climate Change, and Nutrition (GCAN) integration initiative. This ensures social justice, gender equality, and nutrition are at the heart of climate action and funding.		 ACBF's support addressed ICCASA's initial challenges, such as a need for essential institutional policies and a professional board. Their training programs significantly enhanced the effectiveness of ICCASA's interventions, evident in the STREVOW project, which empowered women with disabilities across 13 countries in Eastern Africa. ICCASA's expanding portfolio showcases the tangible impact of this strategic partnership.

Under ACBF’s multifaceted support, ICCASA has developed significantly. ACBF's investment went beyond financial resources, providing a comprehensive package starting with strengthening ICCASA's governance through board development, manuals, and leadership training programs. Capacity-building initiatives equipped ICCASA staff with the expertise needed to tackle the complex issues of gender and climate change.

ACBF secured crucial resources for ICCASA's operations, including office space, financial expertise, and communication and resource mobilization specialists to ensure long-term sustainability. A robust monitoring and evaluation system allows ICCASA to track progress and adapt strategies as needed, while a strategic plan charts a clear course in the future, transforming ICCASA into a powerful force for inclusive climate adaptation across Africa.

Building on ACBF's investment, ICCASA has developed a strong foundation since its establishment in 2017. A gender training program in 2023 led to significant changes, with staff like John Ondieki, ICCASA Procurement Officer, noting, "ACBF's training transformed my procurement approach. I now prioritize diversity, ensuring our decisions empower all."
Leadership training equipped program staff with the skills needed to secure funding, demonstrably boosting their success in proposal development. Dr. Mary Nyasimi, ICCASA Executive Director, explained, "The training empowered ICCASA to navigate complex issues and secure crucial funding. Our recent proposal success story is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and capacity building."

ICCASA's vision is to expand its reach and champion inclusivity in climate adaptation. Future endeavors include supporting inclusivity in planning processes and capacity-building initiatives, advocating for inclusive policies, embracing technological advancements, prioritizing research and data, scaling up successful initiatives, and designing gender-specific projects. Austine Diffu, ICCASA HR and Finance Manager highlighted the impact of collaboration, stating, "ACBF's ToR training revamped our recruitment! Now, we build diverse, skilled teams for projects like STREVOW.”
Thomas Kwesi Quartey

ACBF has been granted the status of a specialized agency because of the potential to transform Africa through capacity development.
H.E. Thomas Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson, AU Commission
Erastus Mwencha

The recognition of ACBF as the African Union’s Specialized Agency for Capacity Development launches the beginning of a new era for capacity building by ACBF, which will require an appropriate level of political commitment and financial support from all stakeholders.
H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Chair, ACBF Executive Board
Lamin Momodou

The remarkable achievements ACBF has registered over the past 26 years is not by accident in our opinion. They have come through hard work, dedication, commitment, purposeful leadership, support from the member countries as well as productive partnership building.
Mr. Lamin Momodou MANNEH, Director, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
Goodall Gondwe

Africa needs ACBF as much, probably more now, than at the time it was created in 1991.
Hon. Goodall Gondwe, former Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors and Minister of Finance – Malawi
Ken Ofori Atta

Ghana’s partnership with ACBF is a tremendous blessing for us and therefore the opportunity for Ghana to host the 26th ACBF Board of Governors Meeting is something that we treasure.
Hon Ken Ofori Atta, Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors and Minister of Finance - Ghana
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