The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) co-hosted a side event on “Technical Cooperation and Capacity Development as Aid, Assessing Progress on Implementing Principles for Effective Development Cooperation”. The event was held on the side-lines of the Second High-Level Meeting (HLM2) of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation on 30 November 2016 in Nairobi Kenya. The meeting attracted over 80 participants from African countries and beyond that included OECD DAC governments, Southern governments, multilateral development institutions, think tanks and civil society.
Dr. Thomas Munthali, the ACBF Director of Knowledge, Monitoring and Evaluation shared ACBF’s work experiences and preparedness for the implementation of the ACBF Strategy for 2017-2021 subtitled “Skilled People and Strong Institutions Transforming Africa” to support regional and continental development plans. It was noted that capacity is a critical enabler for Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030. ACBF previously conducted capacity needs assessment for Agenda 2063 and is planning to do the same for Agenda 2030. The capacity needs assessment provides a framework for countries to develop their capacities. According to Dr. Thomas Munthali, the Africa Capacity Reports (ACR) play a critical role of measuring and tracking progress made by African countries annually in their capacity development. Dr. Thomas Munthali urged development partners present to continue supporting countries to build their capacities in partnership with the ACBF.
Mr. Joseph Mukui who is the Economic Planning Secretary in the Ministry of Planning Government of Kenya in his speech at the side event applauded ACBF for the capacity development support provided in increasing and enhancing post graduate policy analysis and management training that is supported by ACBF, among other capacity development initiatives taking place in Kenya.
Other speakers at the event included Dr. Khainga from Kenya Institute for Policy Research and Analysis; Mr. Leo Atakpu, the Reality of Aid Africa Chairperson; Ms. Neil Levine, from the US Agency for International Development; Ms. Farhana Aketer from Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment Bangladesh; Ms. Jeroen Kwakkenbos from the European Network on Debt and Development and Mr. Yodhim dela Rosa from Reality of Aid Asia Pacific. The event was followed by the launch of the 2016 Reality of Aid Report on Technical Cooperation.
ACBF co-organized the side event in conjunction with Reality of Aid and Learning Network on Capacity Development.
