GOAL #1: Implement the African Professionalisation Initiative (API)’s Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP)

The ALP is a transformative program that significantly raises the level of public sector accounting proficiency over three years as practitioners pursue and attain a specialized qualification. By raising the level of public sector accounting proficiency, health systems in Burkina Faso become more efficient: budget execution improves, reducing delays in service delivery; public funds are dispersed for relevant, pressing health needs; waste is reduced; and accountability and transparency in public financial management is reinforced. To implement the ALP, the ONECCA Business School launched in September 2024 in Ouagadougou, offering tailored training opportunities to build critical skills through the API ALP curriculum for both new students and incumbents in the public sector. A dedicated first cohort has now been identified and will be onboarded in October 2025.

GOAL #2: The translation of the latest edition of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants and developing related training material into French

Ensuring that accountants have a strong grasp on professional ethics is essential to reducing corruption and enhancing transparency, both key to the project’s goal of supporting resilient and sustainable health systems in lower-income countries. The release of a new French translation of the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants is also a key development. Prior to this initiative, the most recent version available in French dated back to 2018, lagging behind important updates that have since shaped the global profession.

With this new translation, ONECCA-BF members and accountants across French-speaking Africa now have an up-to-date version of the IESBA Code. This achievement will reinforce ethical compliance, enhance trust, and strengthen the professional reputation of accountants in the region. It is a critical step toward building a culture of integrity, accountability, and excellence.

GOAL #3: The strengthening of ONECCA-BF’s Investigation and Disciplinary System by aligning it with international best practices and developing related training materials

With the IESBA Code of Ethics translated, the first training on the Code was conducted in October 2024. The implementation and enforcement of the IESBA Code of Ethics furthers the goal of training professional accountants and auditors, who are vanguards in accountability, transparency, and good governance in the public sector. During the training, students learn about the investigation and discipline processes consistent with international and best practices in Burkina Faso and in other Francophone countries in the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) region.

There is ongoing engagement with regional standard setters to promote the adoption and implementation of the latest version of the IESBA Code.

GOAL #4: The development of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme to develop future-fit and ready professional accountants for the private and public sectors

The accountancy profession is constantly evolving. Professional development is an ongoing process, and accomplishment of the project’s goal of training future-fit and ready professional accountants was dependent on having access to continuous learning. ONECCA-BF’s creation of a CPD programme was completed in October 2024 and is currently underway for 2025-2028.

Given its advancement of these goals, ONECCA-BF is now mentoring the Ordre National des Experts Comptables de la République du Congo. This transfer of knowledge with other PAOs in the region working towards IFAC membership exemplifies IFAC’s mission to connect and unite the profession. Meanwhile, ONECCA-BF’s efforts towards strengthening the accountancy capacity in the public health sector are helping to create more resilient and sustainable public financial management systems, capable of operating robust public health services.

As Yacouba Traoré, President of ONECCA-BF, put it:

“The accounting profession is a strategic lever, particularly in sectors facing significant challenges such as health. The completion of this initiative demonstrates that the professional accountancy organization is committed to serving the public interest and fostering a more resilient economy, accelerating the delivery of our strategy for the benefit of our communities.” 

Alta Prinsloo, Chief Executive Officer of PAFA, agreed:

“This project with ONECCA-BF has made a meaningful impact by strengthening service delivery and trust in Burkina Faso’s health sector. It reflects PAFA’s mission to build a strong, trusted accountancy profession across Africa.”

Adda Faye, Chief Financial Officer of the Global Fund, stated:

“Sustaining public health outcomes requires embedding health programs within national systems, underpinned by strong public financial management (PFM) that ensures accountability, transparency, and institutional resilience. To enable this, the Global Fund invests in professional development as a lever to build trust, drive efficiency, and strengthen governance to advance long-term health financing objectives.”

François Note, Chief Financial Officer of Gavi

“Building Country systems remains a key strategic objective of Gavi. Our investment in such a capacity-building initiative goes a long way in demonstrating our commitment to strengthening and effectively using country systems to reduce fiduciary and financial management risk. This while meeting our core objective of leaving no child behind."