ALSF Management Board Approves Work Plan And Budget For 2017

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, November 30, 2016 – The African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) Management Board met in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to provide strategic guidance for the ALSF’s planned future direction and operations. The meeting was held under the leadership of the new Chairman, Seward Cooper, and focused on a number of items, namely the ALSF’s financial statements as of September 2016, the work plan and budget for 2017, the report on the review of the Medium Term Strategy (MTS) 2013–2017 as well as progress on the implementation of projects.

The Management Board exchanged views on experiences of the Facility in providing support to African countries between 2010 and 2016 as evaluated in the Mid-Term review of the ALSF 2013–2017 strategy. The Board expressed satisfaction with the report indicating that the ALSF had delivered 75 percent of expected outputs, keeping all areas of focus fully functional. Looking ahead, the consensus among the Management Board was the recognition of socio economic and political issues that pose a risk to project interventions. In addition, they noted the need for stronger partnerships that would complement the Facility’s efforts in responding to the needs of African governments.

The Management Board also approved the ALSF work plan for 2017 with a word of encouragement to continue the priority by the Facility in providing legal support services to African States in transition.

In addition, as part of activities the Management Board toured the ALSF offices at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and met with staff. The chairman of the Board, Seward Cooper thanked the Management and staff for their tremendous efforts in responding to government’s requests.

The ALSF Director, Stephen Karangizi, thanked the Board members for their leadership and dedication to the Facility.

Established in 2008, the ALSF is an international public institution, hosted by the African Development Bank Group. Its mandate is to support African states by providing legal advisory services for vulture fund litigation and negotiating complex commercial transactions.