ACOA 2025 officially opens in Kigali, championing value creation for Africa’s transformation

Elias Hakizimana May 6, 2025 0 Comments

By Elias HAKZIMANA.

The 8th edition of the Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA 2025) officially opened today in Kigali, Rwanda, marking a historic milestone for the country and the continent’s accountancy profession.

Hosted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) in partnership with the Pan-African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), the four-day event is taking place at the iconic Kigali Convention Centre from May 6–9, under the powerful theme “Creating Value for Africa.”

The congress has drawn more than 2,000 participants from over 65 countries, including financial leaders, accountants, policymakers, regulators, and business executives. It provides a vital platform to explore how the accountancy profession can lead Africa’s economic, social, and environmental transformation.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Hon. Yusuf Murangwa, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, emphasized the urgency and importance of the congress’s theme. He called on Africa’s financial professionals to move beyond traditional roles and become catalysts for reform, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

“Across our continent, we are navigating complex economic challenges, climate risks, global disruptions, and shifting financial landscapes. Yet, we are also witnessing incredible momentum in innovation, demographic opportunities, and regional integration,” said Murangwa. “Accountants, auditors, and financial professionals have a unique position to assist Africa in generating, assessing, and safeguarding value.”

He reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to transparency and sustainable development, highlighting initiatives like the Kigali International Financial Centre, the Green Capsule Group, and green investment reforms through the Development Bank of Rwanda as examples of aligning financial practices with national and continental goals.

Murangwa urged delegates to use the congress as a moment of reflection and collaboration:

“Let us challenge ourselves not only to think of how we account for value but also how we create and sustain value.”

Also addressing the gathering was FCPA Obadiah R. Biraro, President of ICPAR and former Auditor General of Rwanda. With a commanding message — “If you can’t account, you don’t count” — Biraro underscored the centrality of accountancy in advancing good governance, transparency, and sustainable economic progress across Africa.

**FCPA Obadiah R. Biraro, ICPAR President and former Auditor General of Rwanda, delivers a powerful call to action.**

“This simple truth is at the core of what it means to be a Certified Public Accountant — a steward of public trust,” he told delegates. “In Rwanda, our National Strategy for Transformation set a target that by 2024, at least 80% of public institutions using the national budget must receive unqualified audit opinions. That is political will in action.”

He noted Rwanda’s top rankings in East African and global governance assessments, affirming the country’s commitment to accountability. Biraro called on accountants across Africa to embrace emerging roles as *“value creators”* and strategic leaders, citing the growing global adoption of the Chief Value Officer model.

“We must follow suit. Professional accountants must drive innovation, sustainability, and strategic leadership,” he said.

In a key session focused on sustainability and the evolving role of accountants, Ms. Keto N. Kayemba, Outgoing President of PAFA, challenged participants to expand their professional identity:

“We must reimagine our role as accountants, not simply as technical professionals, but as catalysts for inclusive sustainable development.”

Ms. Keto N. Kayemba, Outgoing President of the Pan-African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), addresses delegates during the official opening of the Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA 2025) in Kigali, Rwanda.

The congress is actively addressing urgent trends such as climate action, enhanced capital flows, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), all of which are vital to the continent’s long-term development.

Adding to this, Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), emphasized the growing importance of non-financial reporting in sustainability and decision-making.

“Investors and lenders require accurate sustainability information to make informed decisions that align with long-term goals,” he said, highlighting the need for a globally consistent framework for high-quality sustainability disclosures.

ACOA 2025 continues through May 9 with keynote addresses, expert panels, technical sessions, and networking events. The outcomes of the congress are expected to shape the future of the accountancy profession in Africa and contribute to the continent’s broader transformation agenda.

**Jean Bouquot, IFAC President, stresses the need for consistent global sustainability reporting standards.**

About ACOA

The Africa Congress of Accountants is the continent’s premier biennial event for finance and accounting professionals. Since its inception, it has served as a critical platform for promoting excellence, integrity, and sustainability in the accountancy profession across Africa.