Over 2,000 Accountants Gather in Kigali for Landmark Africa Congress of Accountants

More than 2,000 professional accountants and key stakeholders from over 65 countries convened today at the Kigali Convention Centre for the official opening of the 8th Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA), the continent’s premier accountancy gathering.

The event, taking place from May 6th to 9th, is hosted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) in collaboration with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA).

Themed “Creating Value for Africa,” ACOA 2025 aims to catalyze connection, learning, and innovation within the African accountancy ecosystem—highlighting the role of financial professionals in delivering sustainable development, accountability, and economic transformation.

Officially opening the congress, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, stressed the strategic role accountants must play in Africa’s development journey.

“Accountants, auditors, and financial professionals have a unique position to assist Africa in generating, assessing, and safeguarding value,” he said.

He called for leaders in the profession who are not only competent but also capable of advancing reforms and offering sound guidance to both public and private institutions.

Obadiah R. Biraro, President of ICPAR, welcomed delegates from across the continent, including countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, and Zimbabwe.

He emphasized the foundational role of accountability in governance and development, famously stating, “If you can’t account, then you don’t count.”

Outgoing PAFA President Ms. Keto N. Kayemba challenged participants to reimagine their professional identity beyond technical excellence.

“Let us see ourselves not simply as accountants, but as catalysts for inclusive sustainable development,” she urged.

Among the global voices at the congress, Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), highlighted the importance of sustainability reporting and the integration of non-financial information in decision-making.

“Financial markets need this information so that investors and lenders can make efficient decisions aligned with sustainability targets,” he said, advocating for a consistent global baseline for sustainability disclosures.

Rwanda’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Sebahizi Prudence, took the opportunity to showcase the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “The AfCFTA is a game changer, uniting 55 countries into a market of 1.4 billion people,” he said, calling on professionals to be champions of integration, inclusivity, and shared prosperity.

Over the next four days, the congress will host thought-provoking plenaries, breakout sessions, and workshops on critical issues such as climate finance, regional trade, technological disruption, and ethical leadership.

The event serves as a unique platform for policy-makers, business leaders, and finance professionals to exchange ideas on how to unlock Africa’s full potential.

With Kigali at the center of continental dialogue, ACOA 2025 is not only shaping the future of accountancy but also contributing to Africa’s broader aspirations of economic resilience, transparency, and integration.