PAFA Issues Exposure Draft of the Common Core Competency Framework for Future-Fit Accountants in Africa. PAFA has issued an Exposure Draft of the proposed Common Core Competency Framework (CCCF) for Future-Fit Accountants for Africa, inviting stakeholders to provide comments by 23 August 2026.

The proposed CCCF establishes a minimum benchmark for professional accountancy qualifications across Africa, supporting greater consistency, qualification comparability, mutual recognition, and professional mobility. It aligns with the revised 2025 International Education Standards (IES) issued by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF), while reflecting the evolving role of professional accountants in areas such as digital transformation, sustainability, governance, public financial management, value creation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The framework introduces a structured ten-level taxonomy, 22 professional and technical competency areas, and clearly defined learning outcomes for Initial Professional Development (IPD). It is intended as a common reference standard to guide the development and enhancement of professional accountancy qualifications across Africa and is not designed to assess or rank existing qualifications. To support stakeholder engagement, PAFA will host a series of workshops from 27–31 July 2026, providing an opportunity to discuss the proposed competencies and implementation considerations. Comments on the Exposure Draft are welcomed from professional accountancy organisations, regulators, education providers, employers, and other interested stakeholders.