ACOA Event Program

Wednesday, 7 May 2025

08h30 - 09h00

Arrival and Accreditation

These meetings gather invited technical experts to provide input on accounting, auditing, and public financial management issues, supporting PAFA’s mission to enhance the profession across Africa.

Meeting room: Foyer 1A

09h00 - 10h30

Keynote 2
Driving Sustainable Development and Climate Action for Enhanced Capital Flows in Africa.

Exploring how bold climate action and sustainable development policies can unlock greater capital inflows and position Africa as a hub for responsible investment.

Meeting room: Auditorium

Plenary 2
Unlocking Capital Flows Through Sustainability: Strategic Leadership in Reporting, Assurance, and Policy

Showcasing Rwanda’s innovative approach to integrating sustainability into its economic strategy, highlighting policies and practices that are driving both financial inclusion and environmental resilience.

Meeting room: Auditorium

10h30 - 11h00

Health Break

09h00 - 10h30

Keynote 3.1
Empowering Workforce Development and Economic Growth

Exploring how bold climate action and sustainable development policies can unlock greater capital inflows and position Africa as a hub for responsible investment.

Meeting room: Auditorium

Keynote 3.2
Building Africa’s Financial Talent for Global Competitiveness: The Case of Rwanda as a Rising Financial Hub 

Explore how strategic investments in financial sector talent are positioning Rwanda—and Africa more broadly—as a competitive and sustainable financial hub on the global stage.

Plenary Session 3

Empowering Africa’s Workforce: Strategies For Inclusive Growth and Development

Exploring insights from the WEF Future of Jobs Report to identify strategies for workforce development, upskilling, and fostering economic growth in Africa amidst evolving job market trends and technological advancements.

Meeting room: Auditorium

12h30 - 14h00

Lunch Break 

14h00 - 15h30

Expert Forum 1.1
Developments in International Standards: ISSB 

Exploring the latest developments in IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (SDS), with a focus on how they impact accounting and business practices globally and continentally.

Meeting room: Auditorium

Expert Forum 2.1:
A Common Core Competency Framework for Future-fit Accountants for Africa 

Addressing the essential competencies required for African accountancy and finance professionals to remain relevant and effective in a dynamic global and continental environment.

Meeting room: AD 11

Expert Forum 3.1:
Digital Transformation in Accounting: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Accounting Practices and Services

Exploring cutting-edge technological advancements in accountancy and their impact on efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.

Meeting room AD 12

Expert Forum 4.1:
Entrepreneurship in Action: Success Stories of Accountants Driving Change in Africa

Discussing how technology can bridge skill gaps and create workforce opportunities across Africa’s diverse regions.

Meeting room AD 10

14h00 - 17h30

Expert Forum 5.1-2
Strengthening Accountability Through Collaboration: Auditors General and Professional Accountants as Partners in Public Sector Excellence 

Highlighting partnerships between auditors general and accountants to enhance public sector accountability and transparency.

Meeting room MH 2

Session 1:
Status of PFM reforms in Africa

Session 2:
Consequences of a fragile PFM infrastructure

Session 3:
Lessons learned in the professionalization of the public sector

Session 4:
The power of collaboration: Advancing the professionalization of Supreme Audit Institutions through SAI-PAO partnerships

Session 5:
Strengthening public financial management in the health sector

Session 6:
Closing panel-Call to action

15h30 - 16h00

Health Break

16h00 - 17h30

Expert Forum 1.2
Developments in International Standards: International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) 

Exploring the latest developments in IASB standards, with a focus on the connectivity between IFRS Accounting Standards and IFRS SDS to provide a cohesive framework for comprehensive corporate value reporting.

Meeting room MH1

Expert Forum 2.2
Rethinking Accountancy Education: Building Technology-Enabled Professionals 

Discussing the urgent need for education reforms to develop tech-savvy accountancy and finance professionals who are prepared for the future.

Meeting room AD 12

Expert Forum 3.2
Introduction to the ISSB Digital Taxonomy 

An overview of the ISSB digital taxonomy and its role in enhancing sustainability reporting and data accessibility.

Meeting room AD 10

Expert Forum 4.2
Financial Innovators: How Accountants are Redefining Business Models in Africa 

Exploring innovative financial strategies reshaping business models across Africa, highlighting how accountancy and finance professionals are leveraging financial innovation to enhance business sustainability, drive growth, and create new economic opportunities.

Meeting room Auditorium