- Hundreds of accounting professionals from across Africa will meet in South Africa in December to deliberate on sustainable growth.
- The accountancy profession has a fundamental role in transforming Africa’s economy, as outlined in Africa’s Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want.
- Several African governments have issued policies toward meeting their sustainability commitments underpinned by ESG considerations.
Financial professionals must be fit to lead Africa’s inclusive sustainable growth and economic recovery, ensuring the continent’s place in the global arena. This call by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) comes as the global economic landscape undergoes dynamic shifts. The ACCA emphasizes the importance of accountants being well-equipped to lead this charge and secure Africa’s standing in the international arena.
Their advocacy underscores the integral role that financial professionals play not only in shaping the economic landscape of individual nations but also in fostering a collective, continent-wide approach to sustainable development.
A significant testament to the ACCA’s commitment to this cause is the forthcoming fourth Africa Members Convention (AMC 2023), which holds added significance as it marks the first time the annual conference will be hosted in South Africa.
The meeting at Sandton Convention Centre is anticipated to draw together a diverse and influential assembly of accounting professionals from across the African continent. These financial experts will converge to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strategize on navigating the complexities of contemporary economic challenges while fostering sustainable growth.
International sustainability
Themed Empowering Finance Professionals for Sustainable Development in Africa, the conference will develop earlier conversations on innovative technologies, integrated thinking for sustainable business practice, international sustainability reporting to drive accountability, developing trade competencies towards supporting intra-Africa trade and enabling members to develop careers toward building a better world.
“The accountancy profession has a fundamental role to play in the transformation of Africa’s economy, as outlined in Africa’s Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want – which prioritises inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security amongst other issues, ” said Jamil Ampomah ACCA Director Africa, responsible for implementing ACCA’s strategy in the region and managing ACCA’s relationships with key African stakeholders – governments, regulators, policymakers, employers, international agencies and regional organisations.
Several African governments have issued policies toward meeting their sustainability commitments underpinned by environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations. Their adoption indicates the increasing importance of the sustainability agenda in Africa’s private and public sectors.
Read also: Arab Coordination Group pledges $50Bn for sustainability in Africa.
Financial professionals as change agents
The conference will look at sustainability from many angles, including financing sustainable development programmes, ethics and professionalism, technology and AI, support of developmental policy, corporate social responsibility and developing an accounting career for the future.
The programme line-up brings together senior commercial and government financial professionals from across the globe, including the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and South Africa’s Deputy Auditor General.
Jane Ohadike, Regional Head of Public Affairs for ACCA – Africa, responsible for setting the strategy for public sector and governments across the region, said: “Accountancy and finance professionals are important agents of change, and we have identified seven priority areas in which financial professional have a role. They are building resilient economies, developing the talent of tomorrow, driving sustainable business, advancing standards and regulation, transforming the public sector, supporting entrepreneurial growth and strengthening ethics and trust.
“I really want to encourage accounting and financial professionals to attend the 2023 ACCA Conference to share their expertise and thinking while also using this platform to network and make strategic business connections.
On December 7, investor services group IQ-EQ Regional Managing Director Sridhar Nagarajan is slated to participate in a panel discussion revolving around the theme ‘Empowering Finance Professionals to Drive Organizational Diversity and Inclusion, Attain Gender Equity and Implement Effective Hybrid Working.’
