Background

The Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southern Africa (AFRITAC South – AFS) is a collaborative effort between the International Monetary Fund (IMF), beneficiary countries, and external development partners aimed at providing technical assistance (TA) and cooperation in core macroeconomic and financial management areas to countries in the Southern Africa and West Indian Ocean region. The center provides TA and training to Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The mandate of AFS is to provide capacity-building assistance, facilitate the reform process in member countries, and support regional integration. As a regional center, which is close to the countries it serves, AFS offers several advantages including: (a) decentralized and better tailored delivery of TA to the particular needs of the region; (b) enhanced country ownership and accountability; (c) quicker and more efficient response to TA requests; (d) closer coordination with other TA providers in the region; and (e) more focused subject-specific and hands-on training to government officials. The center has adopted a results-oriented approach to planning and managing its CD activities.

AFS is governed by a Steering Committee (SC) comprising of representatives of AFS countries, external development partners, and observers. The committee endorses annual work plans and priorities.