The 11th Africa Think Tank Summit opened Wednesday in Addis Ababa, launching three days of dialogue focused on advancing public financial management and fiscal reform across the continent.

The summit, co-organized by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance, opened with a ceremony featuring high-level leaders, including Aynalem Nigussie, Ethiopia’s minister of revenue, who officially inaugurated the event.

Other speakers included Zadig Abreha, president of Africa Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX), Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary of ACBF, and representatives from African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Africa-Europe Foundation and the Policy Studies Institute.

Held under the theme “From Taxation to Action: Bridging Policy and Implementation in Public Financial Management in Africa,” the summit highlights the need for evidence-based fiscal reform.

It emphasizes effective leadership, domestic resource mobilization and institutional change as drivers of sustainable development across the continent.

In a keynote address delivered via video, Selma Malika Haddadi, deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission, called for stronger coordination between governments and stakeholders to turn fiscal policy into tangible outcomes.

The launch of the 2024 Africa Export Competitiveness Report also took place during the opening day.

Strengthening Domestic Resource Strategies

Participants attended a ministerial session where panelists discussed the importance of effective leadership in domestic resource mobilization for Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

“Our experience has shown that policy alone cannot bring about change. It must be matched with the right implementation and cross-sector cooperation,” said Nigussie.

She highlighted Ethiopia’s reforms in public financial management and digital transformation as examples of progress.

Biteye urged African leaders to move away from donor dependency and focus on transparent and equitable domestic financing. “Let this summit show that Africa is ready to fund its own future,” he said.

AFLEX President Zadig Abreha called for homegrown solutions that empower Africans to lead their own development paths.

“Ideas need institutions and institutions need income. Africa must move from being analyzed to becoming the authors of its own progress,” he said.

Dr. Fekadu Tsega of the Policy Studies Institute stressed the need for context-specific and inclusive tax systems that rebuild trust between citizens and the state.

“Proximity matters between citizens and governance, policy and implementation, Africa and the world,” he said.

The summit continues through Friday, bringing together think tanks, policymakers and development partners to shape a stronger fiscal future for Africa.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia —  Bantu Gazette