The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)

Established in 1991, the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) builds human and institutional capacity for good governance and economic development in Africa. To date the Foundation has empowered governments, parliaments, civic society, private sector and higher education institutions in more than 45 countries and 6 regional economic communities. ACBF supports capacity development through investments, technical support, knowledge generation and sharing across Africa. Vision & Mission VISION: Africa capable of achieving its own development.  MISSION: To build strategic partnerships, offer technical support, and provide access to relevant knowledge related to capacity building in Africa. The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) operates within a three–tier governance structure comprising a Board of Governors, an Executive Board and a Secretariat.  Board of Governors: The Board of Governors comprises representatives of ACBF member countries and non-African countries, as well as the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme. The Governors are usually African Ministers of Finance and/or Economic Planning, Directors-General or other high level representatives of international development cooperation agencies for non-African countries. The Board of Governors is the highest policymaking body of the Foundation. Its main responsibility is to set the broad policies for the operation of the Foundation, as well as the appointment of the independent members and chairperson of the Executive Board. Ordinarily, the Board of Governors meets annually. The Board of Governors has a Bureau of three members, (Chairperson and two vice-Chairpersons) who are elected annually. Executive Board: The Executive Board is charged with responsibility for operational policies, guidelines and strategies. The Executive Board meets ordinarily four times a year and is composed of experts in the field of capacity building in areas within ACBF's mandate. The ACBF Executive Board is made up of 12 members: three representatives of the sponsoring agencies and nine independent members. The Executive Secretary is an ex-officio member of the Executive Board. The Executive Board operates with the support of three committees: Operations Committee, Finance and Human Resources Committee, and Audit and Risk Committee. The Operations Committee examines and provides guidance on projects, programs, knowledge management and other operational policy matters. The Finance and Human Resources Committee examines financial and human resources matters while the Audit and Risk Committee ensures that the Foundation's risk management tools are up to date at any given time. Secretariat: The Secretariat administers the Foundation, in accordance with the policies and guidelines set out by the Boards. Headed by an Executive Secretary, the Secretariat currently has staff members from 23 African countries, both in the professional and support categories.