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Prof. Nnadozie, ACBF’s Executive Secretary (L) and Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

ADDIS ABABA – The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has extended $3m grant to the African Union (AU) in support of its 3-year capacity building programme, which aims to build and enhance capacities within its Commission for the implementation of the continent’s development programs.

The AU’s programme, set to be implemented over three years (2015-2017) aims mainly to strengthen institutional capacity to ensure that partnerships and collaboration between the Commission, AU organs such as the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, Pan African Parliament (PAP) and strategic partners contribute to the successful implementation of the continent’s development programs.

Since the inception of the AU and despite remarkable progress made in advancing Africa’s development agenda, further progress is being hampered by capacity weaknesses and gaps within the Commission.

Supporting the strengthening of institutional capacity within the Commission is thus crucial to the success of Africa’s development programmes. “Through partnerships such as the African Union and ACBF, there is a shared responsibility to achieve results and develop a critical mass of Africans to deal with capacity development issues at national and regional levels,” said Prof. Nnadozie, ACBF’s Executive Secretary.

He, further added: “this signing does not come at a better time than today as the AUC prepares to implement its 3rd Strategic Plan and Agenda 2063 as well as review of the post-2015 Development Agenda. We are happy to pursue our close collaboration with AUC to make the implementation of this project a resounding success and contribute to the capacity development in Africa.”

From her side, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, expressed appreciation to the long historical partnership and support from ACBF. She acknowledged their commitment to the continent and for accepting the responsibility of bringing their capacity into the discussions around implementation of Agenda 2063. “The Commission relies not only on the grant support, but also on the expertise and capacity that ACBF is able to bring into the discussions, as we look at the initiatives on implementation of Agenda 2063” she stated.  “It is important for Agenda 2063 that we look at division of labor between the RECs and AU so that efforts are not duplicated”, added the Chairperson of the Commission. – AU Commission