Development finance is a complex field that requires core skills to navigate, especially in the light of the changing financial environment and given the growing demand from resource providers and stakeholders for higher developmental impact from development financing activities. Furthermore, the application of the AADFI Prudential Standards, Guidelines and Rating System (PSGRS)3 in DFIs and the results of the Rating & Peer Review of DFIs with the PSGRS recommends the need for comprehensive professional capacity-building in development finance.
Moreover, the current initiatives of the Association with partners in ensuring that the DFIs are viable , sustainable, ready for the 4th Industrial revolution, and to confront the impact of global crisis such as recovery of economies form COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, climate finance, other disruptions, and the need to reposition DFIs supports the idea for a broader training in development finance.

It is against this background that the Professional Certificate Programme (PCP) in Development Finance, was initiated to provide a broader training in development banks for professionals in the sector. The programme is designed to enhance knowledge and build core professional skills required in Africa development finance institutions, in order to provide solutions that address development needs, and in delivering services for development projects towards achieving national development agenda in Africa countries. The programme provides broad understanding of the challenges, expectations and prospects in development financing, and will upscale skills in delivering innovative development finance services, mobilization of resources, modern approach to project management, lending procedure sustainability of DFIs among others.