Rwanda today opens the 8th Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA 2025), welcoming over 2,000 delegates from across the continent and beyond to Kigali, as the country steps up its ambitions to position itself as a leading financial hub in Africa.
Organized by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) in collaboration with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), the four-day congress is being held at the Kigali Convention Centre under the theme “Creating Value for Africa.” It brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and global standard-setters to examine how the accounting profession can be a catalyst for Africa’s economic transformation.
“This congress represents more than just a gathering of professionals. It’s an incentive for African financial leadership,” CEO of ICPAR, Amin Miramango said. “By bringing diverse voices together, we’re laying the groundwork for how accountants can lead in building long-term prosperity for Africa,” He said.
The event begins with a landmark forum focused on advancing gender inclusion in accountancy. Titled “Breaking Barriers, Building Influence,” the session brought together women leaders from across Africa to explore pathways to leadership and tackle persistent gender disparities within the profession.
As the congress unfolds, delegates will engage with urgent topics shaping the future of finance, including the rise of artificial intelligence and digital innovation in accounting, the growing role of sustainability reporting, and the far-reaching implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on cross-border financial practices.
For the first time, heads of global accounting standards-setting bodies are convening in Kigali, underscoring the continent’s increasing influence in shaping global financial rules and best practices.
“In a world where financial systems are increasingly interconnected, taking charge of our profession’s development is not something we can delegate,” President of ICPAR, Obadiah Biraro noted. “Hosting ACOA is a statement that Rwanda’s ideas, innovations, and voice belong at the heart of the global conversation,” he adds.
The congress is designed to reflect the evolving role of accountants, not only as stewards of financial reporting, but as strategic enablers of sustainable growth. With a focus on professional excellence, technological advancement, and long-term impact, ACOA 2025 challenges African finance leaders to reimagine their role in building resilient, future-ready economies.
This year’s summit builds on Rwanda’s momentum from hosting the East African Congress of Accountants in 2024, solidifying Kigali’s status as a destination for high-level dialogue on finance and policy. Over the next four days, participants will take part in expert panels, interactive workshops, and high-level networking sessions.
Members of the press are invited to attend the opening sessions and subsequent plenaries, with daily briefings and interview opportunities available throughout the congress.
