PAP and ACBF Sign Grant Agreement

The President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), Hon. Dr. Gertrude Mongella, and the Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Dr. Soumana Sako, signed a Grant Agreement, according to which ACBF will make available to PAP the sum of two million US dollars over a period of four years to support the institutional capacity building of PAP.

The support package will focus on four key areas that are crucial to the development of PAP. These areas are: strengthening the capacities of Committees, MPs and parliamentary staff; enhancing the communication and outreach abilities of PAP; building the research capacity of PAP; and institutional strengthening.

The project will positively impact on the professional performance and development capacity of MPs, their staff and the PAP staff. By improving the knowledge and skills levels of MPs, the project will specifically enable the MPs to effectively and efficiently carry out their roles and responsibilities on harmonizing continental, regional and national laws to foster continental integration. It will also enhance the PAP advisory and consultative capacity and represent the voices of the peoples of Africa. Moreover, as the PAP performs well, it will greatly improve its chances of becoming a body with full legislative powers for the African continent.

In addition, the support will enable PAP and MPs throughout the continent to play a key role to address the broader issues of development and promote democratic governance. The support will enhance the effectiveness of MPs to bring the regional, continental and international gains to bear at national levels and impact on the lives of people on the African continent through a better understanding and engagement to address African issues and global trends.

Furthermore, with an improved communication and marketing strategy that reaches out to the peoples of Africa, PAP will be known thus encouraging the participation and effective representation of the citizens of Africa.

In his address at the signing ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the ACBF, Dr. Soumana Sako said that “ACBF attaches great importance to the strengthening of the institution of parliament in Africa because it plays a pivotal role in promoting democracy, good governance, mutual accountability, effectiveness and people-centered development in Africa.” He added that “in recognition of the role of parliament in fostering the emergence of a developmental state focused on promoting equitable and sustainable development, ACBF has since 2001 sustained its support to initiatives aimed at strengthening parliamentary institutional capacity. This support comprises parliamentary assemblies at national, regional and now, with the advent of PAP, at the continental level.”

On her part, the PAP President, Hon. Dr. Gertrude Mongella said that “one is mindful of the fact that there is no other Parliament of its kind on the African continent. This poses unique challenges for staff to serve in this Parliament, despite their experience; some may have gained by serving in legislatures in their own countries. In providing support that is required to be well versed on a range of issues and topics will enhance their capacity to provide the services the MPs and the institution expect from them.” She added that “PAP appreciates the standing good collaboration with the ACBF. The collaboration between PAP and ACBF started in 2005 when the latter granted PAP a grant for strengthening the office of the President. This grant included providing a streamlined staff and purchase of equipment to assist the President in finalising the PAP’s Strategic Plan. PAP indeed adopted its first five year Strategic Plan 2006 – 2010 during its Fourth Ordinary Session in November, 2005. The Strategic Plan provided a window for seeking long-term assistance through developing a full-fledged project to be submitted to ACBF. (This) four year grant (....) is just the beginning of seeking for longer term projects that will enhance the capacity of PAP.”

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), which is based in Harare, Zimbabwe, was established in February 1991 as the outcome of collaboration between African governments and the international donor community. The major sponsoring agencies of the Foundation are the African Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Pan-African Parliament, which is based in Midrand, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa, was inaugurated on March 18, 2004 pursuant to the provisions of Article 17 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as one of its organs provided for in the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community signed in Abuja, Nigeria, in 1991. Currently, it has consultative and advisory powers. However, its ultimate aim is to evolve into an institution with full legislative powers, whose members are elected by universal adult suffrage.

For more information, please contact: Khalid A. Dahab Senior Information, Communication and Media Relations Officer Pan African Parliament Tel : +(27)11-545 5047 Fax : +(27)86-520 4756 : +(27)11-545 5138 E-mail :

Rutendo Kambarami Public Relations Officer The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) Tel : +(263)4-700208/790398/9 Fax : +(263)4-702915, 792894 E-mail :

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