The Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) has launched a dedicated forum aimed at accelerating gender equity across Africa’s accountancy profession, seeking to dismantle longstanding structural barriers and empower a new generation of female leaders.
The Forum to Advance Women in Accountancy in Africa, a strategic PAFA initiative, creates a collaborative platform for national women’s associations in the profession. Its objectives include promoting female leadership, fostering inter-country cooperation, and embedding gender diversity into the governance structures of professional bodies continent-wide.
“This is more than representation,” PAFA President Keto Kayemba said. “It’s about unlocking the full potential of women to shape the future of the profession in Africa.”
The Forum supports the establishment and strengthening of national associations of women accountants, and connects existing ones to share strategies and scale impact. It encourages joint advocacy, develops skills programs, and contributes to key PAFA events, including the Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA).
According to the Founder of African Odyssey, Carol Bouwer, Women leadership is not about occupying positions of power, but using their (Women) influence to drive the very change they know to be so necessary.
“As we continue to support women’s economic participation, we begin to unlock the continent’s full potential. Economic empowerment begins right here, as women in this room are an important cog in the delivery of economic empowerment for the Africa we seek, which includes creating opportunities for women, access to education, training and resources,” Bouwer said.
Beyond its convening power, the Forum serves as a catalyst for research into gender disparities in the profession and conducts awareness campaigns to challenge entrenched biases. It also aims to channel female voices into decision-making processes, both within PAFA and at the national level.
Membership includes national associations, represented by their presidents, vice presidents, and an additional delegate and extends to broader advocates for gender inclusion. The Forum is chaired by a PAFA Board member appointed by the federation’s president, while the vice chair rotates among national associations.
Meetings are held at least once a year, in person or virtually, and performance reviews are conducted biennially to track impact and refine strategy.
The initiative marks a significant pivot for Africa’s accounting ecosystem, where women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles despite rising enrollment in accountancy programs across the continent.
By embedding gender inclusion into the profession’s institutional fabric, PAFA aims to future-proof African accountancy for a more equitable, representative, and innovative future.
