FORMATION
The African Federation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (AFIIA) was formed in August 2009 by Chairmen and leaders of recognised IIA Institutes, with 11 founding countries, at a meeting where representatives from The IIA Inc, IFACI, the World Bank, ECIIA and AFROSAI were present. A Constitution and logo were adopted and a General Council was elected. The founding General Council was as follows:
- Chairman: Linda Yanta, South Africa
- General Secretary: Amor Souiden, Tunisia
- Treasurer: Parity Twinomujuni, Uganda
- VP Central Africa: Emile Kakesse Tshike, Democratic Republic Of Congo
- VP East Africa: Ahadi Chacha, Tanzania
- VP North Africa: Zied Boudriga, Tunisia
- VP, West Africa: John Djanie, Ghana
- VP, Southern Africa: Lesedi Lesetedi, Botswana
Founder members of AFIIA were Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.
MISSION
To provide a unified voice of the members of the African Continent on common issues, to collaborate in a manner which will best serve the interest of all African IIA members, and to promote and develop an effective internal audit profession supported by strong, recognized institutes. Thus value will be added to all stakeholders in the private and public sectors, by improving risk management, internal control and governance in all organizations.
KEY OBJECTIVES
- To advocate the profession to all stakeholders
- To create relationships with stakeholders and other bodies to improve governance on the continent
- To assist with the establishment and growth of affiliate institutes hence the growth of membership and professionalism
- To assist and promote the professional development of internal auditors:
- Continuous professional development through training (short courses)
- Certification (CIA and other designations)
- Practical training such as the learnership program
- Exchange programs
- To establish opportunities for networking
- Meetings of institute leaders to develop contacts, to share expertise and resolve challenges;
- Events where members can meet and share expertise
AFIIA GOVERNANCE
AFIIA is governed by the Governing Council.AFIIA’s Governing Council is elected every 2 years at a General Assembly. Nominations are called for, and voting is per ballot. Members of the Governing Council are usually also Chairpersons of their National Institutes, thus they have the knowledge and stature required:
- Chairman
- Senior Vice Chairman
- General Secretary
- Treasurer
- Central Africa Representative
- East Africa Representative
- North Africa Representative
- Southern Africa Representative
- West Africa Representative
- Secretariat – does not have a vote, but does all the day to day work, Agendas, minutes, projects etc
- All Governing Council members are volunteers and do not receive remuneration.
AFIIA speaks on behalf of matters affecting institutes and internal auditors which have a continental impact – it is an over-arching, umbrella body. It is important to note that the actual training and services for internal auditors are provided by the institutes themselves – this is crucial, as institutes are sustainable, visible structures.
AFIIA’s mission is to help these institutes to maturity – so we will proved programs which train trainers, provide training material, and other support eg speakers for conferences, material, networking, technical guidance – but it must be the institutes which deliver these – see description of a model institute attached.
AFIIA does not envisage ever being a structure which is fully staffed, nor does it aim to deliver training and certification – the delivery mechanism will be the institutes. IIA Inc has approved all mature institutes, and monitors compliance with requirements, runs the certification programs, also training and other services which it provides to all recognised institutes. Only institutes which are accepted by the IIA Inc may be full members of AFIIA – AFIIA helps developing institutes to gain this status by sharing experiences and governance practices.