The Africa Board Fellows (ABF) program focuses on strengthening governance, improving risk management practices, and building strategic leadership abilities among leading board members and CEOs of microfinance institutions in sub Saharan Africa. Seminar activities, structure, and content have been carefully designed to create an open atmosphere that allows for frank discussion among peers. Fellows identify their objectives for the program and then work with a program advisor toward achieving those goals. Additionally, fellows will have access throughout the program to a participant-led virtual community with tools, resources, content, and access to subject-matter experts. At the conclusion of the program, fellows stay connected as alumni, creating a network of leaders confronting similar challenges.
ABF is designed to explore a variety of priority topics for the region, including board dynamics & responsibilities, risk management, strategy & managing sustainable growth, technology trends and innovations, navigating competitive and challenging environments, and client centricity. Fellows will have an opportunity to share knowledge and experience around governance challenges in all of these areas in order to build capacity and enable application of best practices at their institutions.
Overall Program Objectives
By the end of the ABF, participants will possess the technical knowledge and tools to be agents of change for effective governance at their institutions, and for the industry as a whole. This includes:
1. Clear sense of responsibilities and authorities as board members and management.
2. Understanding and implementing best practice governance structures and functions.
3. Identifying key strategic junctures and turning points when the board or CEO has to assert its authority.
4. Monitoring and assessing institutional risks faced and ensuring that the risk management system (RMS) provides them with adequate information so the board can ensure the continued survival and viability of the company implementing sound risk management strategies.
5. Listening to and keeping the client at the center of strategic decisions.
6. Ensuring that the company has the necessary human and technical resources to navigate competitive and challenging environments successfully.
7. Fostering good board dynamics and function, and the appropriate relationship between management and the board so that management and the board effectively and consistently focus on their core responsibilities.
