KIGALI - Delegates that include African leaders, dignitaries, academics and public and private sector representatives, and representatives of bilateral and
multilateral agencies have begun arriving in Kigali for the 20th anniversary celebrations of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), to be held in Kigali, February 8-9.

ACBF, which was established in February 1991, will mark 20 years of capacity development in Africa, during a summit under the theme "The Future of Africa is now! What role for Capacity?”

Speaking ahead of the Kigali Summit, Dr Frannie A Leautier, the ACBF Executive Secretary, said that 2011 marks a major milestone in the continent’s capacity building efforts.
"Our 20th anniversary celebrations coincide with the end of the African Union’s Decade for Capacity Building in Africa, declared by the Heads of State at their Summit in Durban in July 2002,” Leautier said.

"This is the perfect time to call for further commitment to capacity building over the next 20 years, in order for the continent to transform its economy and become a global player.”

During the Kigali Summit, invited Heads of State will adopt a Kigali Resolution for Capacity Building in Africa, which will be presented by President Paul Kagame at the next Summit of the AU Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in June/July 2011.

Subsequently, the Resolution will be taken to the international community by Dr Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank Group, as part of Africa’s contributions to the Busan, South Korea Conference on Aid Effectiveness.

Leautier will also address the AU Summit on the achievements and progress of ACBF in the last 20 years.
Moderators to the discussion panels will include Kaberuka, Dr Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Bank.

ACBF will also launch the first edition of its flagship publication – the African Capacity Indicators report, aimed at bringing to the fore the capacity development agenda in sub-Saharan Africa.   

Confirmed Panellists include several African Finance Ministers and ACBF Governors, including Finance Ministers John Rwangombwa, and Tendai Biti of Zimbabwe.

Other confirmed distinguished panellist include: President John Kufuor, former President of Ghana and Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, Vice President, Africa Region, World Bank.

Ends