Africa’s accounting profession is stepping into the global spotlight this week as Rwanda hosts the 8th Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA 2025), a premier pan-African gathering convening more than 2,000 finance professionals from across the continent and beyond.
Opening today at the Kigali Convention Centre, the four-day congress is organized by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) in partnership with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), under the theme “Creating Value for Africa.”
The event comes at a time of mounting economic headwinds, climate volatility, and shifting financial architecture. Yet, leaders see opportunity in Africa’s youthful demographics, digital leapfrogging, and growing need for transparency and sustainable growth.
“This theme is timely and speaks directly to our common interests,” Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa told delegates. “We are navigating complex economic challenges, but we are also witnessing incredible momentum in our profession across Africa. Accountants, auditors, and financial professionals play a unique role by promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainability, and anchoring trust in our economies,” He said.
For the first time, heads of international accounting standards bodies have gathered in Rwanda, underscoring the strategic importance of the congress to global financial governance. Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), praised Rwanda’s leadership and reaffirmed IFAC’s commitment to empowering its 187 member organizations across 142 jurisdictions.
“IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession with a collective voice and commitment to the public interest,” Bouquot said.
The congress will tackle pressing issues such as the integration of AI into audit practices, harmonizing sustainability reporting frameworks, and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unify standards and unlock cross-border financial efficiencies.
“This is more than a professional gathering, it is a continental signal,” President of ICPAR Obadiah R. Biraro said. “African accountants are not only bookkeepers. We are architects of sustainable prosperity, custodians of trust, and builders of institutions. ACOA is a platform to define a future where African solutions lead global finance.”
Rwanda’s hosting of ACOA2025 follows its successful organization of the East African Congress of Accountants last year, further positioning Kigali as a regional financial hub and preferred destination for high-level policy dialogue.
The congress began Monday with a special pre-event forum focused on advancing women in accountancy. The main program runs through May 9 and includes technical sessions, policy roundtables, and workshops on emerging global trends.
As Africa’s economies evolve, ACOA2025 sets a precedent for how the continent’s financial professionals will lead not follow the next chapter in global accountancy.
