Evans Mulera appointed as Head of African Professionalisation Initiative (API) Secretariat
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Evans Mulera as the Head of the African Professionalisation Initiative Secretariat, with effect from 1 June 2022.
Following a rigorous selection process, we are pleased that this resulted in the selection of a candidate who has a detailed understanding of the accounting profession in the public sector. As the Head of the API Secretariat, which is currently hosted by AFROSAI-E, Evans will lead initiatives to coordinate the efforts of accountants general, supreme audit institutions, professional accountancy organisations and academics to systematically address the shortage of adequate professional accounting and auditing skills in the public sector.
Already stepping into the role, Evans attended the AFROSAI-E 2022 Strategic Review and 18th Governing Board meeting, where he had the opportunity to address members and share his vision for the API.
Evans is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Kenya (ICPAK) and is a PFM expert with rich experience in setting up of Accountancy Bodies (PAOs). He previously served as the Deputy CEO of ICPAK and went on to serve as the first CEO of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR). He supported the PAO to attain International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Associate membership, as well as roll out its first Technician and Professional Accountancy examinations.
He oversaw the roll-out of the operations of the first Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB) of Kenya, having previously chaired the East African technical committee of the Financial Reporting Excellence Awards (then promoted by ICPAK, the Capital Markets Authority of Kenya and the Nairobi Securities Exchange). He’s an International Consultant who played an advisory role in the IFAC PAO Capacity Building Program and recently adviser to the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) in the PAO Capacity Building Programme.
Evans is the founder of Capabuil ltd, a consultancy firm that specializes in PFM training and entrepreneurship skills development for teens and youth across Africa. He currently advises ICPAK on capacity building for development of the Accountancy Institute in Burundi and has played a pivotal role in supporting audit firms in Burundi to comply with IFAC SMOs (Statements of Membership Obligations) with particular emphasis on Audit Quality Management.
For more information on the API, visit https://professionalisation.africa/
Background of the API
The API is a Pan-African collaborative initiative aimed at growing the capacity of accounting and auditing professionals in the public sector to enhance delivery of services to citizens. It coordinates the efforts of accountants general, supreme audit institutions, professional accountancy organisations and academics to systematically address the shortage of adequate professional accounting and auditing skills in the public sector.
The API is operated by its partner organisations (AFROSAI-E, CREFIAF, ESAAG and PAFA), overseen by the Oversight Board and supported by committees and academics, collectively providing the people who work for the API a regional, multi-lingual, digital and future-focused environment within which to create and innovate.
The API develops high-quality learning materials to enhance public sector accounting and auditing competence and supports countries to implement public sector accountancy certification programmes. The programmes are aimed at upskilling existing capacity while also developing a pipeline of future talent.
The API facilitates long-term change through solutions that are contextually relevant and aligned to the African Union Agenda 2063. To ensure relevance, buy-in, commitment and—most importantly—local ownership, the API works with relevant stakeholders to contextualise its capacity building approach to each jurisdiction.
Long-term success for the API includes more accounting and auditing professionals appointed to senior public finance positions, increased trust in public finance management systems, enhanced decision making in managing resources and, ultimately, improvements in service delivery. The API seeks to contribute meaningfully to long-term development on the African continent by ensuring that those entrusted with managing public funds do so in a manner that is effective, benefits all citizens and positively contributes to shared prosperity.
Partner Organisations
AFROSAI-E
AFROSAI-E is a member-based institution with 26 Auditors-General from English-speaking African countries making up the Governing Board. The organisation was established in 2005 with the shared vision to make a difference in the performance of our member Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). Through our Executive Secretariat, which is hosted by the Auditor-General of South Africa, embers are empowered to optimise their audit performance to comply with the INTOSAI Standard for Supreme Institutions (ISSAIs) and to strengthen their institutional capacity to effectively implement their mandate.
CREFIAF
CREFIAF is a member-based organisation for SAIs in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa, which was established in Yaoundé, Cameroon in 1997, with the aim of building capacity in the 23 SAIs of French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa. CREFIAF intends to be a catalyst for the promotion of independent and professional SAIs capable of contributing to the transparency, a culture of accountability and the performance of public action for the well-being of citizens. Through its Executive Secretariat, which is hosted by the SAI of Cameroon, it seeks to enhance the status of its member SAIs on one hand, and contribute to the improvement and harmonisation of practices, methods and audit procedures through the adoption of modern standards, the implementation of integrated training and exchange on the other hand.
ESAAG
ESSAG is a member-based Association of Accountants General in the East and Southern region with 15 member countries. The objective of the Association is to strengthen the members countries to perform their roles in executing their PFM and governance roles in the wake of reforms.
PAFA
PAFA is the only organisation in Africa recognised as a regional organisation by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). Its objective is to accelerate the development of the accountancy profession in Africa, strengthen the voice of the profession in Africa and worldwide, and promote internationally recognised standards of professional competence and conduct within Africa. Its membership consists of national accountancy bodies in member states, while affiliate membership is available to international accountancy organisations.