DAKAR, Senegal (BG) – The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) launched its Leadership Excellence in Africa’s Public Sector (LEAPS) program on Tuesday during a two-day national workshop in Dakar, Senegal.
Senior government officials, including the Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation and several development partners, attended the event.
The initiative reflects ACBF’s commitment to supporting six African countries in addressing the challenges posed by global economic pressures and enhancing governance in public finance management.
Similar programs have already been launched in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
At the workshop’s opening ceremony, ACBF Executive Secretary Mamadou Biteye described the LEAPS program as “a catalyst for building the kind of leadership Africa needs to promote sustainable development, achieve financial sustainability, and realize our shared vision of a prosperous continent.”
Tailored Training for Public Finance Management
The LEAPS program features a six-month curriculum specifically designed to tackle the unique challenges of public finance management in Africa.
Participants will engage in a blended learning approach, combining online self-study, coaching, mentorship from renowned African public finance experts, and workshops.
The program aims to develop participants’ skills in personal leadership, team management, organizational transformation, and collaborative governance.
Workshops will focus on integrating public finance management with emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, green finance, and crisis-ready financial strategies.
In-Line with National Priorities
Mouhamadou Bamba Diop, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation, underscored the alignment of LEAPS with Senegal’s national reform agenda.
“We have set our priorities for the modernization and development of PFM, including key intervention mechanisms related to change management and capacity development,” the government official said.
“The LEAPS program aligns with these mechanisms and will contribute to the effective implementation of our strategy. This is why I am deeply committed to the successful implementation of the program in Senegal,” he affirmed, encouraging participants to seize this opportunity to introduce transformative reforms in their respective institutions.
Diop thanked ACBF for selecting Senegal as one of the six pilot countries for the program and emphasized the importance of institutional support for the participants’ success.
“The success of this program relies not only on your individual dedication but also on the unwavering support of your respective institutions,” he said.
Promoting Collaboration Across Africa
The LEAPS program fosters intra-African learning, allowing Senegalese participants to collaborate with peers from Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
“Together, we have the power to develop a new generation of leaders in public financial management who will not just manage resources but transform them into effective instruments of development,” said Biteye.
During the two-day workshop, participants were introduced to the program’s operational platforms and began creating personal development plans as part of their executive coaching journey.
Vision for a Resilient and Inclusive Africa
As part of its 2023-2027 strategic plan, ACBF aims to build a “prosperous, resilient, and inclusive Africa.”
Its key focus areas include addressing climate change and promoting green energy, advancing agribusiness and food sovereignty, leveraging trade as a driver of economic development, and strengthening economic and social governance.
The LEAPS program’s launch highlights Senegal’s commitment to improving public service delivery and governance while promoting collaboration and innovation to benefit citizens across the continent.
It aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a prosperous Africa driven by inclusive and sustainable development and guided by good governance and capable institutions.
