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The African Centre for Development (hereinafter referred to as ACDF or The Centre) was constituted in 2016. It is a research, educational and service institution of the University of Stellenbosch, under Stellenbosch Business School. This positioning within Stellenbosch Business School aligns the Centre with the Development Finance Programme, with a student population of 50 doctoral and 800 master’s students between 2013 and 2019.

The Centre conducts theoretical and empirical research, as well as policy-oriented investigations responding to current challenges in financial development and economic policy. It also undertakes projects and consultancy services commissioned by clients in the private and public sectors; provides non-degree programs in development finance areas for public and private financial institutions as part of capacity building in Africa and; liaises with international financial institutions, development banks, microfinance institutions and consulting companies operating in the development finance milieu.

The Centre plays a critical role in developing financial inclusion strategies on the continent by training development finance practitioners. In 2018, The Centre developed a Development Finance Framework for Eswatini (Swaziland). The framework provides a comprehensive regulatory and supervisory framework, and ensures financial soundness of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), enabling them to perform their mandated roles prudently, efficiently and effectively so that they increase access and usage of financial services and products for all segments of the population. Relatedly, the Centre facilitated and executive training programme for senior managers, supervisors, business trainers and business counsellors within the Southern Africa Development Cooperation SADC) countries.

Over the next three years, it is envisaged that the Centre will expand to become a Centre of Excellence in the Southern part of Africa, with a broader offering of its executive training programme, collaborative and commissioned research engagements and dissemination of its research output. This will have a significant impact on the development of human resources and capacity building in the financial sector of the African continent given the progress made towards the integration of African economies through the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement which will require financial sector integration.

Our vision, values and milestones

The ACDF Vision:

  • To become a leading academic centre of excellence for applied and sustainable policy-orientated research in all fields of development finance and capacity building in Africa
  • The University of Stellenbosch Business School supports this vision as it aligns with its own:
  •  To be globally recognised as a source of value for a better world through knowledge advancement and transformative learning by developing responsible leaders who positively impact society

Key milestones

Collaborated with the programme heads and faculty members of Stellenbosch Business School’s cluster of Development Finance programmes (postgraduate diploma, MPhil and PhD) to produce 150 students on the Postgraduate Diploma, over 150 students on the MPhil and 10 graduates on the PhD. Currently, Stellenbosch Business School has over 150 MPhil students and 35 PhD students in Development Finance

Offered tailor-made short courses to corporates in Africa

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Dr Lwanga Elizabeth Nanziri, Director of the Africa Centre for Development Finance:

Email: [email protected]
Centre email: [email protected]
Mobile: +27 (0) 79 352 1770
Phone: +27 (0) 21 918 4255

Stellenbosch Business School
Carl Cronje Drive, Bellville 7530, Cape Town