The 11th African Federation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (AFIIA) University Conference kicked off yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together internal audit professionals, executives, and policymakers from 28 African countries and beyond.
The event, which is being held under the theme “Building Bridges, Inspiring Change,” coincides with International Internal Audit Awareness Month, marked globally in May.
The Zimbabwean delegation includes Accountant General Edwin Zvandasara, Sanguita Popatlal, Chief Director in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Masimba Mudzungairi, Chief Director for the Central Internal Audit Unit in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and Patrick Chidziva, Director of Internal Audit in the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities.
The conference features presentations and panel discussions on a range of key topics aimed at strengthening internal audit practices across the continent.
Among the headline speakers is Dr Tagarira Mutenga, Group Audit Executive at Old Mutual Zimbabwe, who presented on “ESG Audits: Emerging Trends”, a topic gaining increasing relevance across both public and private sectors.
Other notable sessions include a panel discussion led by Hon. Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, focusing on policy implementation to reduce economic inequality and poverty.
AFIIA Chairperson Ruth Doreen Mutebe will deliver insights on communication and reporting skills for internal auditors, while Jean Pierre Garitte, a World Bank expert on internal audit, is set to lead a session on improving the effectiveness of boards in state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
Topics on the agenda also cover global internal audit standards, the role of internal auditors in fraud detection, cybersecurity auditing challenges, and risk-based auditing strategies for better risk management.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Patrick Chidziva described the conference as an “eye-opener” and praised its focus on practical issues facing the profession. He said:
The conference will provide valuable insights on the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and their audit.
This is particularly significant for us, as it aligns with the mandate of our Ministry. For that reason, ESG auditing must be given due prominence.
AFIIA, established in 2009, serves as a unified voice for internal auditors across Africa, aiming to foster collaboration among member institutes and promote a strong, professional internal audit culture throughout the continent.
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