AFRACA HOLDS 22ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WELCOMES NEW CHAIRPERSON AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

PHOTO: From left: Ms. Marie Goreth Ndayishimiye, Incoming Chairperson, Central Africa Sub-Region and Second Deputy Governor, Banque Republic du Burundi (BRB); Incoming AFRACA Chair, Mr. Dieudonne Fikiri Alimasi, Deputy Governor, Banque Centrale du Congo, BCC; Dr, Jesimen Chipika, outgoing AFRACA Chairperson and Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe,  Mr. Thomas T. Essel, AFRACA Secretary General and Mr. David Ashiagbor, Financial Sector Specialist, African Development Bank Group during the 22^nd AFRACA General Assembly hosted by Banque Centrale du Congo at Fleuve Congo Hotel

The 22nd AFRACA General Assembly convened from 23-27 October 2023 in DRC, Kinshasa at the Fleuve Congo Hotel hosted by Banque Centrale du Congo, BCC. Attended by more than 80 participants from 10 different countries, the Assembly exemplified AFRACAs diverse membership which included representatives from Central Banks, regional financial institutions, MFI’s, Apex financial institutions as well as financial cooperatives.

The programme featured other side-events preceding the Assembly. This included two full days training (23-24 October 2023) on ‘Environmental, Social and Governance Principles’ aimed at sensitizing financial institutions to adopt and incorporate ESG principles into their investment decision-making. The training was followed by a high-level technical session around the theme ‘Localizing climate finance adaptation for the financial sector in Africa’. One of the key highlights and outcomes of the session was the strengthening of ties between AFRACA and AfDB through the African Financial Alliance on Climate Change (AFAC) initiative.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Mr. David Ashiagbor, financial sector specialist, African Development Bank (AfDB). The need to address capacity constraints to promote adequate management of climate risks by African Financial Institutions was the central tenet of his address. Mr. Ashiagbor called for more involvement and collaboration with AFRACA in AFAC’s governing structure and overall membership to support implementation and amplify AFAC’s objectives in the continent.

As has been the norm, the business Session deliberated on matters affecting the Association. The election of new Executive Committee members was conducted smoothly including the appointment of new co-opted members in line with the principle of promoting inclusivity in AFRACA’s governance structure.