Established 20 years ago, the ACBF aims to build to strengthen Africa’s governments and business communities so sustainable growth and poverty reduction will be possible.

With barely three years to go before the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals, delegates at the meeting emphasized the role of capacity in Africa’s development agenda.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti told participants that a new African narrative was emerging.

"I think over the years you have seen a new Africa coming with numbers of wars reducing, the number of conflicts reducing and a number of democratic elections increasing," he said.

Dr. Frannie Leautier, the Foundation’s Executive Secretary, said since its creation, ACBF has supported projects and programs in 45 African countries, including Zimbabwe.

"In the past 20 years, the Foundation has invested more than 500 million US dollars in capacity development in Africa," she said. "Its action has been most visible and successful in the area of economic policy analysis and management through its support of think-tanks and policy institutes. Across the continent, ACBF has nurtured the growth of these institutes from cradle to current performing organizations."

The theme of the anniversary was ‘The Future of Africa is Now: The Critical Role of Capacity Development.’ The event included a series of learning and knowledge sharing events in several other cities across Africa, including Tunis (Tunisia), Kigali (Rwanda), Malabo (Equitorial Guinea) and Arusha, Tanzania. Similar events were also held in Paris, France.