By Lawrence Gqesha
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Africa Regional Technical Assistance Centers (AFRITACs) play a crucial role in building public sector capacity across Africa, with programmes covering macroeconomic stabilization, public financial management (PFM), taxation, financial markets, public statistics and banking supervision, AFRITACs help equip public officials with the skills necessary to manage and sustain national economies effectively. The IMF AFTAC’s efforts align closely with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Good Financial Governance in Africa (GFG) Programme, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Together, these initiatives aim to combat corruption, improve transparency, strengthen legislative oversight, and broaden the tax base to enhance domestic revenue mobilization.
The support by BMZ and other partners provides targeted assistance to specific regions across Africa and the Middle East. Six centres focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, while the Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Centre (METAC) supports North African and Middle Eastern countries. Each AFRITAC’s strategic direction is guided by a Steering Committee (STC), which includes member countries, development partners, and other stakeholders in PFM. In these STC meetings, AFRITACs present achievements, review upcoming operational plans, and assess recommendations from previous sessions, ensuring ongoing improvement in alignment with member needs and donor support.
For the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the STC meetings for each AFRITAC reflected significant achievements and challenges, showcasing the impact and necessity of continued support:
METAC (Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Centre) – June 6, 2024, Egypt
METAC’s 2024 Steering Committee meeting, held in Cairo, focused on reviewing past achievements and planning future initiatives. Despite the challenges posed by regional instability, METAC introduced new workstreams in tax policy, government finance statistics, and macroeconomic frameworks, while also establishing cross-cutting programmes on climate and gender. For 2025, METAC will expand its capacity development focus to include public debt management and governance, aiming to address economic vulnerabilities with a broader approach.
AFRITAC West II (AFW II) – June 18, 2024, Cape Verde
AFRITAC West II marked its 10th anniversary in Praia, Cabo Verde, focusing on strengthening technical assistance in PFM, revenue administration and financial sector supervision. Given the heightened need for robust public finance systems to address inflation and resource management, the Center highlighted achievements in enhancing financial stability across member nations. The need for sustained funding emerged as a core theme, with calls for member contributions and development partner support to ensure continued progress and stability in the region.
AFRITAC Centre (AFC) – June 18-19, 2024, Democratic Republic of Congo
AFC’s STC meeting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) points out significant accomplishments, with an impressive 96% programme execution rate for 2024. The Center’s Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS) strategy saw 84% of resources allocated to these vulnerable nations, reflecting AFC’s responsiveness to member needs. Discussions also highlighted AFC’s efforts in climate, gender, digitalization and governance, which align with emerging global priorities. The presentation of AFC’s 2025 budget plan reiterated the importance of member and development partner contributions to sustain the AFC’s tailored approach.
AFRITAC West (AFW) – June 20, 2024, Côte d’Ivoire
In Abidjan, AFRITAC West reviewed its 2024 work program and outlined objectives for 2025, focusing on initiatives like domestic resource mobilization, medium-term revenue strategies, and tax administration digitalization. With Phase IV of its operations nearing completion, AFRITAC West urged donor partners to renew commitments for Phase V, ensuring continued capacity building. This meeting also celebrated 20 years of AFRITAC West’s contribution to economic resilience, marking it as a critical player in shaping fiscal policies across West Africa.
AFRITAC South (AFS) – June 27-28, 2024, Lesotho
In Maseru, Lesotho, AFRITAC South emphasized the region’s urgent need for financial stability amid a challenging economic outlook. The STC discussed strategies for leveraging digitalization in PFM and debt management, reflecting an ongoing shift toward data-driven governance. The Center also expanded its focus to include climate risks, gender, governance, and anti-corruption. Financial constraints, however, remain a pressing issue. AFRITAC South’s adaptability is evident in its evolving portfolio, but stable financial backing is essential to sustain these efforts.
AFRITAC East (AFE) – July 10-11, 2024, Tanzania
AFRITAC East convened in Dar es Salaam to review achievements and operational plans for 2025. Notable successes included expanded macroeconomic capacity, as documented in a recent study, Steadfast Pursuit: Building Macroeconomic Capacity in East Africa. The meeting also addressed financial challenges for 2025, underscoring the need for development partners’ ongoing support. AFE’s history of achievements over the past 20 years was celebrated, with renewed calls for member countries to fulfil financial commitments, ensuring the Center’s sustained impact.
BMZ and GIZ: Financial and Technical Contributions
BMZ has been a committed supporter of the AFRITACs, providing EUR 30 million since 2017, with EUR 25 million allocated to AFRITACs and EUR 5 million to METAC. This funding enables BMZ to participate in STC meetings and ensure alignment between AFRITAC and BMZ objectives on the continent. GIZ’s role includes not only financial contributions but also technical assistance, underscoring Germany’s commitment to strengthening African public finance systems. This partnership fosters transparency, strengthens governance, and promotes effective PFM.
Across the AFRITACs, the 2024/2025 STC meetings reaffirmed the Centers’ shared mission to bolster Africa’s macroeconomic and financial systems. AFRITACs and METAC stand as pillars of Africa’s financial governance framework, bolstering economic stability through targeted capacity building. Their work aligns with global development priorities, addressing macroeconomic challenges and fostering resilience. Development partners, including BMZ, are encouraged to maintain and, where possible, increase support, ensuring that AFRITACs can continue their critical mission of empowering public officials and enhancing fiscal governance. This ongoing collaboration between IMF, AFRITACs, and international funders is vital for sustaining Africa’s growth trajectory and achieving long-term financial sovereignty.
