Seminars/Workshops/Courses

Workshop on Effective Policies for Crypto Assets

04/01/2024 - 04/01/2024 Zoom platform

Joint AFS/MCM/AFE/AFW2 workshop.

Amidst the failure of various crypto asset trading exchanges, other actors within the crypto ecosystem as well as the failure of certain financial institutions with exposure to crypto assets, it has become critical for policy makers to comprehensively respond to the risk of crypto assets. This webinar aims to provide an overview of the framework set forth by the International Monetary Fund on the nine elements that can assist countries to develop a comprehensive, consistent, and coordinated policy response to crypto assets

Workshop on Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT)

04/01/2024 - 04/03/2024 In Person, Mauritius

Workshop on Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT)

03/27/2024 - 03/29/2024 In Person, Mauritius

L'atelier régional sur la gestion des finances publiques sensible au changement

03/12/2024 - 03/14/2024 In person, Brazaville

Joint AFS/AFW/AFC/FAD workshop

Workshop on Debt Transperancy

02/19/2024 - 02/23/2024 In person, Malawi

Joint AFE/WB/MEFMI workshop

Workshop on Strengthening the Role of Macro Fiscal Units

12/11/2023 - 12/15/2023 In person, South Africa

Key components of the macro-fiscal function include macroeconomic and fiscal modeling, forecasting and debt sustainability analysis; macro-fiscal policy analysis; fiscal risk analysis; and monitoring macroeconomic and fiscal developments. The workshop will provide an interactive platform for Heads of Macro Fiscal Units and Budget in ministries of finance to understand key responsibilities and institutional arrangements necessary for macro-fiscal management. The workshop will also discuss the common implementation challenges being experienced and possible solutions.

Workshop on African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA)

11/20/2023 - 11/22/2023 In person, Mauritius

The workshop will bring together representatives from the countries supported by the IMF Regional Capacity Development Center (RCDC) for Southern Africa, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The event will focus on the implementation of the AfCFTA and specifically the identification and sharing of good practice.

Workshop on Monetary and Fiscal Policy Analysis with DSGE Models (DSGE)

11/13/2023 - 11/24/2023 In person, Mauritius

This course provides an overview of the science and economic costs of climate change, discusses policy options for adaptation and mitigation (including pricing carbon emissions and removing of fossil fuel subsidies), and analyzes challenges and opportunities related to transitioning to greener economic models, including risks to the financial sector and debt sustainability, and options to promote green budgeting and access to climate finance.

Workshop on Macroeconomics of Climate Change

11/06/2023 - 11/17/2023 Virtual, Zoom Platform

Workshop on Policy and Regulatory Matters for Central Bank Digital Currencies

11/06/2023 - 11/10/2023 Hybrid mode, Tanzania

As technology becomes more advanced and user demands change, the means of conducting payments are changing to keep up to society’s need for digitalised financial services. This may prompt central banks to provide additional digital payment alternatives. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) is a new form of central bank money. CBDC (retail) is a widely accessible digital form of fiat money that could be regarded as legal tender. Many central banks are exploring, testing, and designing CBDCs.

Workshop on Fiscal Risk Management for Lusophone and Francophone Countries

10/30/2023 - 11/03/2023 In Person, Mauritius

This workshop reviews key fiscal risks relating to contingent liabilities with a focus on government loans and guarantees tools which were widely deployed during the Covid-19 pandemic. It will also provide training on FRAT (Fiscal Risk Assessment Tool) and on State Owned Enterprises Health Check Tool (SOE-HCT) to assess and manage fiscal risks from public corporations.

Workshop on Emergency Liquidity Assistance ( ELA)

10/18/2023 - 10/20/2023 Virtual Zoom platform

The workshop is sponsored jointly by AFRITAC South (AFS), AFRITAC East (AFE), and AFRITAC West 2 (AFW2) in collaboration with the IMF’s Monetary and Capital Markets Department.

Course on Financial Sector Surveillance (ICD)

10/02/2023 - 10/06/2023 Zoom Platform

This one-week course introduces participants to key concepts and tools used in the identification and assessment of financial sector vulnerabilities and sources of strength. The course materials provide a basic toolkit to assess financial sector risks and to measure them against existing capital and liquidity buffers in the financial system.

Workshop on Fiscal Data Governance

09/04/2023 - 09/08/2023 Mauritius

The workshop addresses the need for better fiscal data governance (FDG) practices to improve fiscal data quality in the
PFM digital solutions. It will present the latest FDG concepts, approaches, trends, legal aspects, links with budget
transparency, data interoperability and data security. It will provide a platform for the AFS member countries to
explore the benefits of enhanced FDG practices to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of PFM processes.
Participants will be encouraged to share their countries experiences and feedback on the FDG practices.

Workshop on Fiscal Risk Management for Sovereign Guarantees

09/04/2023 - 09/08/2023 South Africa

This workshop reviews key fiscal risks relating to contingent liabilities with a focus on government loan and
guarantee programs which were widely deployed during the Covid‐19 pandemic. It will also provide training on
loan tools to assess and manage fiscal risks. It will combine theory and hands‐on exercises on fiscal risks and
debt sustainability.

Workshop on working with the Core Basel Principles.

09/04/2023 - 09/08/2023 Mauritius, Preskil Resort

Training to AFS member country prudential supervisors on BCP’s, covering broad content and methodology for assessment against BCPs. The 29 BCPs represent the minimum benchmark of international standards for the sound prudential regulation and supervision of banking systems. Many jurisdictions continue to take stock and self‐assess the effectiveness of their banking supervision functions, against the BCPs. The workshop will provide training to AFS member country supervisors on the content of the BCPs and the methodology for assessment against them, as well as sharing regional and international experience in conducting both self‐assessments on the BCPs and participating in BCP assessments as part of IMF/WB Financial Sector Assessment Programs.

Training on the completion of the International Survey on Revenue Administration

08/14/2023 - 08/18/2023 Mauritius

ISORA collects data on tax administration from administrations around the world using questions and definitions agreed by four international organizations: the Inter-American Center of Tax Administration (CIAT); the International Monetary Fund (IMF); the Intra-European Organization of Tax Administrations (IOTA); and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Past ISORA data are available on the ISORA portal for use by tax administrations – please refer to RA-FIT Data 2021 - Standard Tables - ISORA (rafit.org).

Seminar on Forecasting and Policy Analysis System (FPAS)

08/07/2023 - 08/11/2023 Cape Verde

The program is sponsored jointly by AFRITAC South, AFRITAC East, and AFRITAC West 2 in collaboration with the IMF’s Monetary and Capital Markets Department.

The workshop will take stock of the current state of monetary policy frameworks, foreign exchange and exchange rate policies, foreign exchange markets, and operations. The workshop will cover selected topics related to foreign exchange and exchange rate policies in much more detail, such as: (i) exchange rate regimes; (ii) exchange rate flexibility; (iii) foreign exchange intervention; (iv) transparency and pricing in the foreign exchange market; (v) capital controls and exchange rates; (vi) distortions caused by parallel markets; and (vii) foreign exchange market regulation.

Seminar on Foreign Exchange and Operations

07/24/2023 - 07/28/2023 Ethiopia

Seminar on Climate Change and Macro-Financial Policies Workshop

06/05/2023 - 06/09/2023 Mauritius

The workshop will focus on the macroeconomic and financial implications of climate change, and the mitigation and adaptation policies needed to deliver on the Paris Agreement and build resilience. The fiscal and financial risks from climate change, and the role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) instruments, and the implications for banking laws would also be discussed. Workshops will focus on the impact of mitigation policies and the macro-fiscal benefits from building resilience, as well as assessing financial sector risks and debt vulnerabilities from climate change. Participating countries would be invited to share their experience in managing climate vulnerabilities and building resilience to foster peer learning.

Workshop on Managing Sovereign Debt Portfolios in Adverse Market Conditions

05/15/2023 - 05/19/2023 Mauritius

The workshop aims to provide a platform for sovereign debt managers in the two regions to share experiences and understand the implications of rising inflation, tightening global financing conditions and a stronger US dollar on sovereign debt portfolios and the implementation of medium-term debt management strategies. Experts will explore areas in which sovereign debt managers may need to consider in their response to adverse market conditions. These include exploring alternative financing mechanisms, debt restructuring options, recalibrating debt management strategies, and strengthening investor relations and debt transparency. The objective is to support sovereign debt managers’ efforts to manage cost and risks arising from the adverse market conditions, while ensuring governments’ financing needs and payment obligations continue to be met.

Course on Financial Development and Financial Inclusion

04/24/2023 - 05/05/2023 Ebene, Mauritius

The course introduces financial inclusion as an integral dimension of financial development-a perspective that has only recently received proper attention because for many years the discussion instead centered on the concept and measurement of financial depth. The course reviews the indicators currently used to measure financial development, its distinct macroeconomic impact, and the main policy strategies usually pursued. The course will cover how countries can develop capital markets (equity and bond markets). The course will describe strategies to increase access to finance for SMEs. The course will look at how best to develop a financial literary program to increase financial inclusion. Finally, the course will delve on Fintech as a tool to promote financial inclusion.

Seminar on Repo Market Development

04/11/2023 - 04/14/2023 South Africa

The purpose of the workshop is to support the central banks of the region in developing their repo markets (both
classic and buy/sell back), allow peer-to-peer sharing of country experiences and provide technical assistance to
strengthen the capacity of participating officials in these areas.
This four-day workshop will take stock of the current state of domestic repo markets; consider specific challenges;
discuss plans to develop domestic repo markets; and outline best practices. The workshop will cover selected topics
related to repo market development in much more detail, such as: (i) the importance of repo to economic and financial
market development; (ii) the need for buy/sell back repos in the strategies to enhance the secondary markets for fixed income securities; (iii) the legal character of repo and how it works; (iv) applications of repo; (v) Global Master
Repurchase Agreement and country-specific legal issues; and (vi) the prerequisites for developing a repo market.
The seminar will be facilitated by the Regional Advisors; Mr. Marin Molosag (AFRITAC South), Mr. Callie Hugo (AFRITAC
East) and Mr. Gani Gerguri (AFRITAC West 2)

Webinar on application of GovTech solutions to improve public financial mgt

04/10/2023 - 04/14/2023 Mauritius

GovTech solutions present new opportunities and challenges for digitalizing public financial management. They offer
the potential to dramatically improve data collection and storage, increase the speed of transactions, and facilitate
government interactions with citizens.
Building up on the previous regional workshops on PFM and digitalization 5 this workshop, jointly organized with FAD,
will provide a peer-learning platform to the participants to share their experiences and to learn from international and
regional best practices in digitalizing PFM. It will explore how PFM digital solutions should evolve and interact within
the whole-of-government approach to modernize the public sector.
Acknowledging the role of digitalization in delivering public services — especially during the COVID19 pandemic— and
in enhancing fiscal transparency through improving fiscal reporting, member countries are even more demanding of
capacity development in this area

Workshop on Improving Fiscal Transparency & Accountability in the public sector

03/07/2023 - 03/10/2023 Mauritius

Participants will :
 learn what is fiscal transparency code and fiscal transparency evaluation process and how they are linked to fiscal reporting.
 learn what are the requirements and benefits of accrual-based accounting and its role in improving fiscal transparency and fiscal risk management.
 better understand usage and impact of the accrual-basis IPSAS, and the linkage between accrual reporting framework and other frameworks such as GFMS 2014
 address specific IPSAS through practical work in smaller groups
 get familiar with examples of good practices of IPSAS adoption from the international and regional environment
 connect with peers that are undergoing an accrual reform program.

Workshop on Price Statistics Fundamentals

02/27/2023 - 03/03/2023 Lesotho

The main objective is to strengthen the participants’ knowledge of price indices concepts and methods relating to the implementation of international standards and best practices.

This five-day workshop will focus on the challenges compilers face in developing, maintaining and updating price indices. Topics will include issues with the development and updating of weights, re-referencing the index period, selecting and maintaining samples, quality adjustment issues, the introduction of new/replacement items, and pricing difficult items.

Seminar on Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning

12/05/2022 - 12/08/2022 South Africa

This four-day seminar will focus on finalizing guidelines for administrations on how to develop business continuity and disaster recovery plans in accordance with good practice standards. Sessions will include interactive discussions covering good practice standards, regional initiatives, and country experiences. The aim is to encourage peer learning and sharing of experiences.

Webinar on Analytical Skills for National Accounts

11/21/2022 - 11/25/2022 South Africa

The main objective is to strengthen the participants’ analytical skills in compiling and disseminating GDP estimates.
This workshop will focus on the fundamental analytical skills required to compile and disseminate GDP estimates. Topics will include analysis of source data including estimation techniques; revisions analysis; data visualization techniques; data validation; quality assurance issues; and data dissemination issues. Participants will be engaged in undertaking several group exercises to strengthen their skills throughout the workshop.

Webinar on Modernization of MPO Frameworks and FMD

11/14/2022 - 11/18/2022 Zoom online Platform

The objective of the workshop is to interrogate the inter-linkage between monetary policy frameworks and financial markets as well as the need for functional financial markets as a pre-requisite for effective monetary policy implementation. The focus will therefore be to: (i) strengthen the participants’ understanding of the fundamentals of effective monetary policy implementation; (ii) discuss progress with the modernization of monetary policy implementation frameworks and financial markets in the region, and (iii) peer-to-peer sharing of country experiences on challenges with monetary policy implementation, including constraints to financial market development.

Webinar on Fiscal Risks Management For Sovereign Guarantees

11/14/2022 - 11/18/2022 South Africa

This is a joint FAD/ATI/AFS/AFE workshop to provide guidance on assessing fiscal sustainability using the ICD Debt Dynamics Tool (DDT) and long-term fiscal sustainability using the new FAD climate change fiscal sustainability tool. Participants will also be exposed to the full fiscal risk toolkit.

Course on Central Bank Digital Currencies (OT22.314)

11/07/2022 - 11/11/2022 Ebene, Mauritius

The course is designed to give participants a foundation in central bank digital currencies. It will assess the business case for CBDC adoption from the perspective of users and central banks. After some motivations and introductory remarks on digitalization, the course will discuss the different forms of CBDCs, and present considerations for CBDC design and a conceptual framework. The course will present the benefits, costs and risks related to CBDCs. In addition, CBDCs will be studied in terms of their implications for financial stability and bank intermediation, the monetary policy transmission, financial integrity, and financial inclusion. Some time will be devoted to regulatory considerations, both at the national and international level.

Webinar on Digital Money: Balancing Innovation and Regulation for a new Frontier

10/24/2022 - 10/28/2022 Johannesburg, South Africa

The program is sponsored jointly by AFRITAC South, AFRITAC East, AFRITAC West 2 and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) in collaboration with the IMF’s Monetary and Capital Markets Department. Digital money services have evolved in conjunction with a rapid growth in technology, mobile networks, and access to the internet. The objective of this seminar is to explore the potential implications of the digital and information technology innovations in the financial system for the adoption of digital money and provide an opportunity for countries to exchange knowledge and experiences on digital money.

Training on International Financial Reporting Standards 17 (IFRS 17)

10/24/2022 - 11/04/2022 Zoom online Platform

The purpose of the training is to provide a wider understanding on IFRS 17 implementation processes that will enhance insurance supervisors’ own level of preparedness and assist in the development of adequate processes to accommodate the transition. Moreover, it will assist supervisors in holding discussions with the insurance sector to assess readiness and issue any circular letter to insurers informing them of the requirements to implement the IFRS 17 under specific implementation plans.

Webinar on Climate Risk Analysis

10/03/2022 - 10/03/2022 Zoom Platform

The scope mainly focuses on banks, but its principles are largely applicable to any type of financial institution. The topics that are covered are: i) The channels through which climate risk will influence macro-financial dynamics and systemic risk. ii) The different types of climate risk and how they are intertwined. iii) Climate scenarios design and the sources of data and uncertainty. iv) How to model the impact of climate risk on the real economy and the banking sector. The webinar illustrates concepts from examples of applications from recent FSAPs.

The webinar targets Deputy Governors and senior staff dealing with the impact of climate risk to the financial sector. At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to identify the climate risks their national financial systems are mostly exposed to and the suitable approaches to manage them. Furthermore, they will have developed an understanding of how they should adapt their overall supervisory framework to incorporate climate risk analysis and the implications for regulatory policy making.

Webinar on Corporate Governance

09/26/2022 - 09/30/2022 Zoom Platform

High-Level Bank Corporate Governance Regional Webinar and Regulation Workshop. The webinar and workshop will be distinct parts, with the webinar providing an update on international standards and compliance with Basel Core Principles (BCP) with senior supervisory agency personnel and supervisors; and with the workshop providing more detailed training on corporate governance regulatory frameworks and a self-assessment against international standards by each participating country.

Course on Nowcasting

09/19/2022 - 09/30/2022 Zoom Platform

This two-week course is designed to provide to relevant organizations in sub-Saharan Africa the cutting-edge tools and the types of data in-use or developed at the IMF to aid in the estimation of economic indicators in the recent past, present and near future (‘nowcasting’). Nowcasting can be defined as real-time evaluations of variables based on a series of relevant, timely and higher-frequency indicators and familiarize the region’s officials with the concepts and methods to incorporate High-Frequency economic indicators into the modeling process.
Through lectures and workshops, participants will be introduced to nowcasting methods and to the type of data and techniques that countries can use to develop high-frequency indicators (HFI) using a hands-on approach. The course will cover nowcasting and HFI data sources, two types of modeling approaches (factor models and machine learning), that enable the incorporation of mixed-frequency data indicators to the nowcasts and forecasts of GDP. Using applications to different countries, it will emphasize the following practical aspects: How to adapt to the data context? How to deal with mixed frequencies and delays in the release of data? How to evaluate (and combine) different nowcasting models? Given the course's focus, the target audience is staff conducting short/near term macroeconomic analysis and forecasting and possibly mid-level to senior managers responsible for public financial management or monetary policy decision-making who have modelling and forecasting skills.
Participants are expected to have an advanced degree in economics and econometrics or equivalent experience. It is strongly recommended that applicants have completed at least two general macroeconomic courses, such as Macroeconomic Forecasting and Analysis (MFA), Macroeconomic Diagnostic (MDS), delivered either in-person, virtually or online. In addition, ideally, participants should have experience of EViews and Matlab

Webinar on Cyber Risk Supervision

06/27/2022 - 07/01/2022 In Person, Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene , Mauritius

The workshop will provide Training on the off-site and on-site supervision of cybersecurity.

Webinar on Compiling Producer Price Indices (PPIS)

06/27/2022 - 07/01/2022 Zoom Platform

The purpose of the virtual workshop is to continue strengthen the participants’ knowledge of PPI concepts and methods. The focus will be on specific data sources and compilation procedures for specific industries including the services sector. This virtual workshop will also focus on specific issues and challenges identified by the participants and on the implementation of international standards and best practices regarding the compilation of these price indices.

Webinar on Modernizing Central Bank Communication

06/20/2022 - 06/22/2022 Zoom Online Platform

The workshop is targeting countries within the regions of AFE, AFS and AFW2 that have already made solid progress in communication. The focus of the workshop will be on modernizing the central bank communication through strategic communication guided by a communication policy and strategy, including analyzing the media landscape to reflect upon tools, channels and target groups and to evaluate the impact of communication. Price stability and monetary policy is the main responsibility of the central bank and communication plays an essential role for anchoring inflation expectations and thus monetary policy communication will play a central part in this workshop. In addition to the traditional mix of lectures, the agenda of the workshop will include interactive sessions, group work and discussion panels. A total of 15 countries are invited, operating under different monetary policy regimes and all with a certain degree of transparency and communication.

Webinar on Fundamentals of Sound Central Bank Communication

06/13/2022 - 06/15/2022 Zoom Online Platform

Each day of conference will last for about 3 ½ hours, consisting of one keynote speech by a distinguished academic or non-African policymaker and two panel sessions with governors (or deputy governors) of central banks of SSA countries. The draft program (see below) includes moderated discussions of the challenges faced by SSA countries when reforming their monetary policy frameworks, the experiences of transiting to a price-based monetary policy framework and from a peg to more flexible exchange rate regimes, the issues related to central bank independence, accountability, communication and transparency, and recent and expected innovations in central banking and monetary policy such as digitalization, and fintech innovations.

High-Level Conference: Modernizing Monetary Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

02/28/2022 - 03/02/2022 Zoom Online Platform

Webinar on Macroeconomic Management in Resource Rich Countries (MRC)

02/21/2022 - 03/04/2022 Zoom Online Platform

Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to:
• Analyze economic performance in RRCs, in particular in terms of growth, diversification, inclusiveness, and sustainability.
• Design fiscal frameworks, applying appropriate fiscal benchmarks to determine whether to consume, save, or invest the proceeds from the sale of natural resources.
• Identify the appropriate macroeconomic policy response to commodity price shocks.
• Ensure greater transparency in the management of natural resources and develop appropriate institutional structures for Sovereign Wealth Funds.
The course will involve lectures, hands-on workshops, debates, case studies, and online modules.
Participants are expected to have an advanced degree in economics or equivalent experience and to be proficient in the use of Excel.

Webinar on Cyber Risk

02/21/2022 - 02/25/2022 Zoom Online Platform

Webinar on Regulation of Fintech

01/27/2022 - 01/28/2022 Zoom Online Platform

Alongside the technological innovation, consumers have demanded faster, more cost effective and transparent financial services. Financial technology (fintech) have recognized these gaps in traditional financial service offerings and introducing new solutions such as digital wallets, mobile payments, digital currencies, and blockchain based financial market instruments. Subsequently, consumers are adopting these innovative financial service offerings in progressively shorter periods. Regulators must keep up with this pace of change in financial services and find ways to enable financial markets to leverage these benefits of fintech in a responsible manner. This webinar will explore ways for regulatory authorities to mitigate potential risks to the financial system and the practical solutions to introducing new or revised legal and regulatory reforms

Webinar on the Experience with FPAS in Africa

01/10/2022 - 01/14/2022 Zoom Online Platform

Webinar on Basics of National Accounts for Beginners

12/06/2021 - 12/10/2021 Zoom Online Platform

This webinar will focus on the concepts underpinning the compilation of the national accounts as well as the methods and data sources to measure GDP. Topics will include the definitions, measurement and data sources used in compiling GDP in by production and expenditure; volume and price changes; classifications; and supply and use tables. Participants will be invited to identify specific questions, topics, issues which will be discussed during the webinar.

This webinar will be conducted jointly with AFRITAC East and the Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI).

Webinar on Fiscal Risks Management in Low and Middle Income Countries

11/08/2021 - 11/12/2021 Zoom Online Platform

MODULE II

This two-module course presented by AFS provides an overview of how fiscal risks impact debt sustainability and macro management in African countries with access to concessional debt. The seminar introduces the basic principles of fiscal risk management, debt sustainability, and the IMF-World Bank framework for Public Debt Sustainability Analysis in Low-Income Countries (LIC DSF). Module I focus on Fiscal Risks and Debt Sustainability and Module II on Macroeconomic shocks and fiscal stress tests. Participants that successfully complete both modules will receive a certification

Webinar on Fiscal Risks Management in Low and Middle Income Countries

09/06/2021 - 09/15/2021 Zoom Online Platform

MODULE I

This two-module course presented by AFS provides an overview of how fiscal risks impact debt sustainability and macro management in African countries with access to concessional debt. The seminar introduces the basic principles of fiscal risk management, debt sustainability, and the IMF-World Bank framework for Public Debt Sustainability Analysis in Low-Income Countries (LIC DSF). Module I focus on Fiscal Risks and Debt Sustainability and Module II on Macroeconomic shocks and fiscal stress tests. Participants that successfully complete both modules will receive a certification

Webinar on Modern Tax Audit Management Principles

08/16/2021 - 08/27/2021 Zoom Online Platform

To strengthen capacity of the Revenue Authorities in the AFRITAC SOUTH (AFS) Region by enhancing effectiveness of audit and verification programs that will foster accuracy of reporting.

Webinar on Modern Tax Audit Management Principles

05/21/2021 - 07/02/2021 Zoom Online Platform

To strengthen capacity of the Revenue Authorities in the AFRITAC SOUTH (AFS) Region by enhancing effectiveness of audit and verification programs that will foster accuracy of reporting.

Webinar on Unwinding Covid-19 Policy Interventions for Banking Systems

05/18/2021 - 05/18/2021 Zoom Online Platform

The webinar will provide presentations from MCM on guidance for unwinding policy measures, including borrower support, bank capital, and liquidity measures, and suggests ways to prioritize supervisory tasks during the exit process. It will address the trade-offs entailed by unwinding decisions and steps that authorities could consider when the exit appears challenging and banks’ asset quality is likely to deteriorate sharply, including situations that might evolve into systemwide banking sector stress. The information provided will be based on the Special Series on COVID-19 note - Unwinding COVID-19 Policy Interventions for Banking Systems. There will also be presentations on country experiences on this topic from Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa

WEBINAR ON COVID-19 RELATED EMERGING CHALLENGES FOR THE COMPILATION OF NA

07/27/2020 - 07/31/2020 WebEx Online Platform

The main objective is to assist AFS members in addressing the economic effect of COVID-19 by applying national accounts concepts and techniques to compile sound GDP, with a focus on the compilation of the second quarter of 2020.

This five-day seminar will focus on the COVID-19 related challenges for the compilation of national accounts and methodological notes prepared by the IMF’s Statistics Department to address these challenges. The seminar will consist of lectures and workshop sessions. WebEx platform will be used to organize online meeting.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required.

WEBINAR ON INSURANCE REGULATORY AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSES DURING THE COVID-19

07/22/2020 - 07/22/2020 WebEx Online Platform

AFRITAC South (AFS) and the Monetary and Capital Markets (MCM) department of the International Monetary Fund host a series of online roundtable discussions, on banking supervision and regulation, central bank operations, and cybersecurity focusing on current issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by question and answer sessions with attendees.

WEBINAR ON CENTRAL BANK SUPPORT TO FINANCIAL MARKETS

07/15/2020 - 07/15/2020 WebEx Online Platform

AFRITAC South and the Monetary and Capital Markets (MCM) department of the International Monetary Fund host a series of online roundtable discussions, on banking supervision and regulation, central bank operations and cybersecurity, focusing on current issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by question and answer sessions with attendees.

WEBINAR ON CYBER SECURITY RISK OF REMOTE WORK DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

07/01/2020 - 07/01/2020 WebEx Online Platform

AFRITAC South and the Monetary and Capital Markets (MCM) department of the International Monetary Fund host a series of online roundtable discussions, on banking supervision and regulation, central bank operations, and cybersecurity focusing on current issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by question and answer sessions with attendees

WEBINAR ON BANKING REGULATION AND SUPERVISION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

06/17/2020 - 06/17/2020 WebEx Online Platform

AFRITAC South (AFS) and the Monetary and Capital Markets (MCM) department of the International Monetary Fund are hosting a series of online roundtable discussions in banking supervision and regulation, central bank operations, and debt management. The primary focus is on current challenges related to COVID-19 pandemic.

WEBINAR ON THE BUDGET PROCESS IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID 19 - ANGOLA

05/19/2020 - 05/22/2020 WebEx Online Platform

4-day on-line training for Angolan authorities.

AFS will deliver a 4-day on-line training to 20 officers during May 19-22, 2020. The 4-day training event will be delivered online using the WebEx platform at a pace of 3hours per day. The webinar will be delivered in Portuguese with simultaneous interpretation in English. The training content, divided into eight lectures, will cover 1) Budget cycle from preparation to reporting on execution (2) Budget implementation processes including cash-planning (3) controlling, monitoring and timely accounting for and reporting on expenditures –especially those related to COVID19—to prevent arrears accumulation in the post-COVID 19.

WEBINAR ON IMF CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FOR OVERCOMING CURRENT MACRO-FISCAL

05/12/2020 - 05/12/2020 WebEx Online Platform

AFS will organize a webinar on 12 May 2020 for anglophone AFS member countries titled: IMF Capacity Development for Overcoming Current Macro-Fiscal/PFM Challenges. First, to discuss how AFS can better target capacity development activities for our member countries in the region. Second, to share IMF’s recent work related to COVID-19 policy responses.

WEBINAR ON PROGRAM-BASED BUDGETING FOR THE INDIAN OCEAN COMMISSION (IOC)

05/08/2020 - 05/08/2020 WebEx Online Platform

The 2-day training event will be delivered online using the WebEx webinar platform. The training content, divided into three lectures, covered (i) PBB principles, (ii) PBB accounting and costing, and (iii) PBB performance information

WEBINAR ON STRENGTHENING PUBLIC DEBT MANAGEMENT AND MANAGING PUBLIC WEALTH

04/28/2020 - 05/04/2020 WebEx Online Platform

The webinar covers the following topics:
• Public debt management and transparency. Gaps in recording, monitoring, and reporting of reliable and comprehensive public debt data. The consequences that can arise from lack of transparency.
• Public-private partnerships and PFRAM. Why do we worry about PPPs? What can governments do to manage PPPs? How can we use the P-FRAM to identify and evaluate PPP fiscal costs, fiscal risks, and mitigation measures to manage them?
• Managing public wealth: The public sector balance sheet. What do PSBSs look like, and how have they evolved? How to manage financial and non-financial risks to PSBS? How can the PSBS approach strengthen fiscal policy?
• Country experiences on public debt transparency and PPP management.
The webinar was delivered using WebEx platform (3 ½ Hours /day) and created the opportunity for sharing and collaboration among the participating countries to identify areas for improvements in their PFM systems.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PRICE STATISTICS

02/10/2020 - 02/14/2019 Gaborone, Botswana

The main objective is to strengthen the participants’ knowledge of price indices concepts and methods relating to the implementation of international standards and best practices.

This five-day seminar will focus on the fundamental data sources and compilation procedures as well as the challenges compilers face in developing/updating price indices. Topics will include general price indices issues; contributing to the development of source data surveys as well as analyzing the subsequent results; constructing expenditure shares; issues with the development/updating weights, selecting samples, quality adjustment issues, and pricing difficult items. Participants will be invited to list specific questions, topics, issues which will be discussed during the seminar.

EFFECTIVE USE OF DATA ANALYTICAL TOOLS TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A RBCP

01/27/2020 - 01/31/2019 Ebene, Mauritius

The seminar will focus on the use of analytical tools for the purposes of identifying potential areas of non-compliance. The seminar will look to identify all data sources available to revenue authorities and to guide participants through the practical application of various tools and techniques. Guest speakers will also look to share practical examples of the results achieved through the use of the techniques and tools.

VOLUME AND PRICE MEASURES IN NATIONAL ACCOUNTS

01/13/2020 - 01/17/2019 Livingstone, Zambia

The main objective is to strengthen the participants’ knowledge of national accounts concepts and methods relating to the implementation of international standards and best practices.

This five-day seminar will focus on the decomposition of transactions included in GDP into price and volumes. Issues with the choice of the base and reference year and the use of deflation or extrapolation methods. Participants will be invited to list specific questions, topics, issues which will be discussed during the seminar. The seminar will consist of lectures and workshop sessions.

REGULATORY, SUPERVISORY AND OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES

12/10/2019 - 12/13/2019 Ebene, Mauritius

Financial market infrastructures (FMIs) facilitate the clearing, settlement, and recording of monetary and other financial transactions and are critical for the effective conduct of monetary policy. They enable improved risk management and can strengthen the markets they serve. However, if not properly managed, they can pose significant risks to the financial system and be a potential source of contagion, particularly in periods of market stress. Because of their critical importance for financial stability, risk management standards have been promulgated for the operations of FMIs and oversight responsibilities for regulators, supervisors and overseers of these systems. These are the CPSS-IOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMI) published in 2012 by the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) of the Bank for International Settlements and the Technical Committee for the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

MONETARY POLICY FORECASTING AND ANALYSIS

12/09/2019 - 12/13/2019 Ebene, Mauritius

A more detailed seminar description will be provided at a later stage when date, venue, and cooperating partners have been confirmed.

The seminar will require close interaction among the participants, with the resource persons guiding the interactions. Participants will be asked to make presentations on their country specific macro models, forecast processes, nowcasting frameworks etc. experiences. Presentations will be given by international experts in the area. Participants are expected to review the reading materials on the list of references.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ISSUES IN BANKING SECTOR

10/14/2019 - 10/18/2019 Pretoria, South Africa

The Global Financial Crisis has resulted in an overhaul of the global financial regulatory and supervisory architecture and has been instrumental for a paradigm shift in the manner in which financial institutions classify, measure and manage various categories of risk. The scope of banking regulation and supervision has also been extended to include elements of Corporate Governance. Consequently, the international standard setters issued revised/enhanced standards relating to Corporate Governance. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in 2015 issued Corporate Governance Principles for Banks, which focus on addressing deficiencies at the level of Board of Directors. The organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has also issued revised Corporate Governance standards. IMF’s initiatives on Governance and Corruption resulted in publication of the policy papers in August 2017. The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has also done considerable work in the area of Corporate Governance including stocktaking of governance practices in major banks and thematic peer reviews.

ESTABLISHMENT OF EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES FOR CUSTOMS VALUATION

10/07/2019 - 10/11/2019 South Africa

The seminar will focus on the practical application of the WCO good practice guidelines for the establishment and operation of a customs valuation unit and/or associated procedures. The focus will be on providing revenue authorities with details of the WTO GATT valuation rules and the practical actions required to ensure that authorities comply with their obligations as members of the WTO. The seminar will also review the latest IMF Technical Note on Valuation matters with a view to identify key risk areas and to develop appropriate risk-mitigation strategies designed to improve compliance. Guest speakers will also look to share practical examples of the results achieved through the practical application of the guidelines provided.

HIGH-LEVEL SEMINAR ON REVENUE ADMINISTRATION GOVERNANCE

09/23/2019 - 09/25/2019 Cape Town, South Africa

Good governance is one of the key drivers of sustainable and good performance in revenue administrations. The level of transparency, accountability, and integrity of the revenue administration determines the extent to which the public have confidence and trust in the revenue administration to competently and fairly execute its mandate. Limited trust and confidence in the revenue administration limits the extent to which taxpayers voluntarily comply with their tax obligations and ultimately affect revenue performance.

In addition, the operating environment is rapidly changing compelling revenue administrations to think differently about governance areas including strategy; technology; risk management; compliance; (by taxpayers and by the administration itself to governing laws and regulations), assurance; and stakeholder inclusiveness. Governing boards or governance bodies for revenue administrations are tasked with directing the administrations to overcome these challenges and deliver good and sustainable performance.

IMPROVING BUDGET OUTCOMES THROUGH TRANSPARENT AND GENDER RESPONSIVE BUDGETS

09/23/2019 - 09/27/2019 Pretoria, South Africa

An open, accessible and responsive budget is one of the most important enablers for achieving the ultimate outcomes of public financial management (PFM), namely aggregate fiscal discipline, strategic allocation of resources, and efficient service delivery. At the same time, the credibility of the budget is highly dependent on the strength of the PFM system as whole. Orderly and inclusive budget preparation including openness in forecasting macro-fiscal trends, revenue and expenditure estimates, as well as disclosing budget execution information regularly and in meaningful formats reflects a robust PFM system.

Monetary Policy Implementation and Financial Market Development

08/26/2019 - 08/30/2019 SARB Academy, Pretoria, South Africa

Many central banks in southern Africa are in the process of modernizing their central banks. Monetary policy regimes are changing and with these changes comes changes in the implementation frameworks as they need to be adapted to the monetary policy regime. However, there is no “one size fits all” implementation framework. Central banks operating the same monetary policy regime have chosen different implementation frameworks. During this seminar you’ll have the opportunity to hear from many of your peers how their respective frameworks are designed, the benefits and challenges they are associated with and what practical and technical requirements they are attached with. In addition, you’ll learn from the IMF recourse persons about various monetary policy regimes and operational frameworks.

IFRS 9- Implementation Issues

08/19/2019 - 08/23/2019 Ebene, Mauritius

The overarching goal of the seminar is to enhance the ability of prudential regulators and bank supervisors/examiners to understand the implementation challenges of IFRS with specific focus on the above noted standards. The seminar is designed as a capsule program to familiarize participants with the underlying concepts of these standards and equip them with the tools and techniques for conducting supervision of banks/financial institutions under the new framework in the most effective way.

The seminar aims to make participants aware of the inter-linkages among these standards and implementation challenges involved. Aided by this awareness, officials will be better equipped to gain insights into the implications of IFRS 9 on credit risk models. This will enable the participants to be prepared for an efficient transition to IFRS 9 and design supervisory frameworks appropriate for their jurisdictions.

Customized Training Course for Comoros and Madagascar on Auditing

08/05/2019 - 08/16/2019 Hotel Colbert-Antananarivo, Madagascar

The capacity for detecting and deterring inaccurate reporting is low in both Madagascar and Comoros. The audit staff in the two countries need further training to run effective audits. AFRITAC South has provided technical assistance on audit to the two countries through several in-country missions and provided hands on guidance to the officers on applying audit techniques to enhance audit performance outcomes. However, more work is still required to build a strong and effective audit capacity in both countries. Due to their many similarities including speaking the same language and fragility, it is only effective and synergistic to run a customized training course, in French, which shall target capacity gaps peculiar to both countries

Macroeconomic Training- Financial Development and Financial Inclusion

06/17/2019 - 06/28/2019 Africa Training Institute, Ebene, Mauritius

Beginning with an analysis that defines the role of finance in the economy, the course reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on the impact of finance on macroeconomic performance and growth. It also addresses policies to encourage financial development (market-enabling policies) and limit its potentially destabilizing effects (market-harnessing policies). The course introduces financial inclusion as an integral dimension of financial development—a perspective that has only recently received proper attention because for many years the discussion instead centered on the concept and measurement of financial depth. The course reviews the indicators currently used to measure financial inclusion, its distinct macroeconomic impact, and the main policy strategies usually pursued.

Fintech: Opportunities, Challenges and Risks to the Financial System

03/19/2019 - 03/21/2019 Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, South Africa

How much of fintech is hype and how much is reality, and how should policy and regulation respond to this fast‐
changing industry are the main issues the seminar aims to address. The seminar will explore how fintech technologies
could lead to the emergence of new risks, by creating greater volatility and instability, and how central banks and
regulators can mitigate potential risks to financial stability and integrity without stifling innovation.
The seminar will examine practical fintech applications. It will explore central bank responses to potential
opportunities and challenges arising from cryptocurrencies and examine a range of use cases with distributed ledger
technology and the issuance of central bank digital currencies. Discussions will also focus on experiences in Regtech
and Suptech and potential risks from their broad adoption. Regtech can be defined as the use of fintech by financial
institutions for improving their regulatory compliance and risk management. Similarly, Suptech can be defined as
financial supervisors themselves using fintech to improve their supervisory and regulatory processes.

Gestion macroéconomique dans les pays riches en ressources naturelles (MRC)

03/11/2019 - 03/22/2019 Ebene, Mauritius

L’objectif du cours est d’aider les pays de la sous-région à mieux cerner les défis soulevés par la gestion de leurs ressources naturelles. À cet effet, il offrira aux participants les compétences analytiques nécessaires pour comprendre les problèmes et formuler et mettre en œuvre un large éventail de politiques macroéconomiques, y compris les régimes fiscaux et règles budgétaires, monétaire et de change, ainsi que les réformes structurelles associés. Le cours permettra également de partager les expériences de chacun et de débattre en profondeur de plusieurs études de cas de pays riches en ressources naturelles qui sont adaptées aux variations régionales.

Compilation of Export and Import Price Indices

02/18/2019 - 02/22/2019 Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, South Africa

This is a joint seminar with East AFRITAC and the Common Market for Southern Africa (COMESA).

The main objective is to strengthen the participants’ knowledge of price indices concepts and methods. The focus will be on specific data sources and compilation procedures.

This five-day seminar will focus on specific issues and challenges relating to the implementation of international standards and best practices regarding the compilation of price indices. Topics will include general price indices issues, challenges, and problems such as developing/updating weights, selecting samples, quality adjustment issues, pricing difficult items, and others. Participants will be invited to list specific questions, topics, issues which will be discussed during the seminar.

Advanced Rulings for Classification Purposes, Origin and Valuation

01/28/2019 - 02/01/2019 Ebene, Mauritius

This is a joint seminar with East AFRITAC and the Common Market for Southern Africa (COMESA).

The seminar will provide a forum for discussion to explore challenges to the key steps in processing advanced ruling requests in origin and tariff classification. The seminar will build advanced ruling capacity of the participants by looking at:

-outlining the background and reasoning behind advanced rulings;
-an overview of issues requiring consideration to ensure an effective advanced ruling process;
-the key steps in processing advanced rulings including identifying best practice;
-objectives and procedures to support advanced ruling for tariff classification; and
-preparing a communications strategy.

Moving Towards International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)

01/21/2019 - 01/25/2019 Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, South Africa

In recent years, the global financial crisis highlighted the significant gaps and weaknesses in public sector accounting practices and underscored the need for more comprehensive, reliable, and timely financial reporting by governments.
These concerns were echoed by the G‐20 at their meeting in Moscow in February 2013, when they called on the IMF, World Bank, and OECD to work to improve the transparency and comparability of public sector financial reporting.

To help policymakers and citizens to understand and address these sources of fiscal risk, fiscal transparency standards and practices need to improve along several dimensions: more complete coverage of public sector institutions; more comprehensive reporting of assets and liabilities; recognition of a broader range of transactions and other economic flows; more frequent and timely fiscal reporting; more rigorous approach to fiscal forecasting and risk analysis; and alignment of standards for budgets, statistics, and accounts.

IPSAS have a potentially significant role to play in enhancing the transparency and comparability of government financial information. The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB), a part of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), is responsible for issuing International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Currently there are some thirty IPSASs applicable to accrual based accounting and one IPSAS applicable to cash‐based accounting. Subjects so far covered by IPSASs include presentation of financial statements, the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates, financial instruments, contingent liabilities, and segment reporting. IPSASs are designed to facilitate the generation of government financial reports of high quality that are internationally comparable.

Mainstreaming National Accounts and Balance of Payment Statistics

12/03/2018 - 12/07/2018 Ebene, Mauritius

The main objective is to strengthen knowledge of the national accounts concepts and methods that overlap with balance of payment statistics. The seminar will consist of lectures and workshop sessions covering methodological and compilation issues based on the 2008 System of National Accounts and Balance of Payment Statistics Manual 6th edition.

Model Based Policy Analysis and Forecasting

11/05/2018 - 11/16/2018 Ebene, Mauritius

This course, presented by the IMF Institute for Capacity Development, provides rigorous training on the use of simple Dynamic New Keynesian (DNK) models to conduct monetary analysis and forecasting; it emphasizes analysis of monetary policy responses to macroeconomic imbalances and shocks. Participants are provided with the tools necessary to develop or extend the model to fit their own monetary policy framework. Country case studies are used to reinforce participant understanding and to help them compare and assess a variety of possible experiences.
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- customize a simple model of an economy that embodies the monetary policy transmission mechanism, and the shocks this economy may face;
- acquire and apply tools used in modern central banks to conduct monetary policy analysis and forecasting using a hands-on Matlab-based model;
- conduct nowcasting and near-term forecasting using a variety of estimation-based econometric techniques supported by expert judgment;
- use the model to develop consistent medium-term quarterly projections of such key macroeconomic variables as output, inflation, interest rate, and exchange rate;
- identify risks in the baseline forecast and draw up medium-term projections for alternative scenarios that assume that the risks materialize; and
- start building a simple model for monetary policy analysis using their own national data, when they return home.

Orientation Programme for newly recruited Central Bank Officers

10/22/2018 - 10/26/2018 Bank of Mauritius, Port Louis

This is a joint orientation program co-hosted with the Bank of Mauritius

The program will provide an overview of Central Banking with practical experience form the Bank of Mauritius (BoM) on various topics. The IMF advisors at the AFRITAC south (AFS) and the Africa Training Institute (ATI) in Mauritius will provide lectures on a broad spectrum of topics relating to the various activities and responsibilities of the central banks. These topics will include among others;
 Central banks independence
 The use of statistics in central banks,
 The role of the central bank in debt management,
 Cash management the role of government and central bank,
 Modeling and forecasting in policy making,
 Central bank communication,
 Regulation and supervision of financial markets,
 Financial stability and Macroprudential policy,
 Governance issues in central banking,
 Payments system and infrastructure

The orientation program is suitable for newly recruited staff within the central bank core areas and will provide for an orientation of the core business of modern central banking. In addition, it will provide an opportunity for newly recruited staff to meet and learn from other central bankers as well as to learn from the experience shared by the Bank of Mauritius.

Crisis Management and Crisis Resolution

10/15/2018 - 10/19/2018 SARB Academy, Pretoria, South Africa

The seminar will inform participants about the need to keep abreast of the above developments and be ready for the implementation challenges. It will offer participants the opportunity to review and discuss key aspects of the resolution process including recent developments by the international standard setting bodies such as the BCBS and FSB. It will strive to find internationally coordinated solutions that take account of the impact of the crisis on the financial systems and real economies of other countries, drawing on information, arrangements and plans developed ex-ante. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, these issues have rapidly risen to the top of international and regional policy agendas. Reforms initiated in crisis management target the improvement of powers and tools for dealing with weak banks with a particular emphasis on SIFIs. The seminar will address the following:

-introduction to the key elements of macroprudential supervision and financial stability;
-key attributes of effective resolution regimes for financial institutions;
-developments in cross border supervision; and
-roundtable discussion on an implementation framework for Southern African countries.

The seminar will require close interaction among the participants, with the resource persons guiding the interactions. Representatives from select countries will be required to make a presentation on case studies involving crisis resolution infrastructure and crisis management strategies in their countriy. Presentations will be given by international experts, including from IMF headquarters. The Course curriculum includes interactive discussion and group exercises with fellow participants, regulatory experts, and industry practitioners.

Medium-Term Fiscal Frameworks and Fiscal Risks

09/10/2018 - 09/14/2018 Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa

Robust macroeconomic and fiscal forecasts are crucial to developing a sustainable fiscal strategy and ensuring greater predictability of budget allocations. In most countries medium-term macro-fiscal forecasts are presented as part of their Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF). The MTFF encompass the top-down specification of the aggregate resources envelope and is also the foundation for developing a sound medium-term budget framework (MTBF) and annual budget. In terms of the three main goals of Public Financial Management (aggregate fiscal discipline, strategic allocation of resources, efficient service delivery), the focus of the MTFF is on maintaining aggregate fiscal discipline and fiscal sustainability. The MTFF is the appropriate vehicle to explore the boundaries to the set of fiscal and macroeconomic policies that are consistent with continued financial stability and fiscal sustainability.

More than 15 years ago, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa embarked on a program of budgetary reform, an important element of which was a medium-term budget framework (MTBF). The objectives of this reform were to enhance fiscal discipline, achieve a better alignment of resource allocation with national priorities, and improve the certainty of funding, both internal and external, over the medium term. The progress of these reforms, in six selected countries, is assessed by a recent IMF Working Paper. It assesses the effectiveness of MTBFs in achieving improved fiscal discipline, resource allocation, and certainty of funding, as well as wider economic and social criteria such as poverty reduction and more efficient public investment. The authors recommend developing countries to focus on building their capacity in macro-fiscal forecasting and analysis. This will allow the authorities to table a credible MTFF that creates the base for a credible medium-term budget framework.

Strengthening the Administration and Control of Excise

09/03/2018 - 09/07/2018 Ebene, Mauritius

The seminar will provide a forum for discussion to explore challenges to the administration of excise programs and build capacity of the participants by looking at:

-review aspects of the supporting legislation/regulations, and control processes and procedures in the region;
-trader information, application, approval and registration of operators, risk management, physical and audit control, planning a control program, conducting a
compliance visit, reporting, system audit and accountancy, and management controls;
-explore opportunities of increasing revenue through extending excise to other trade sectors, e.g., betting and gaming, specific petroleum products, and mobile
telephone airtime; and
-developing an excise compliance strategy.

Impact of Basel III Reforms in Implementation of Basel II/III in EMDEs

07/16/2018 - 07/20/2018 Ebene, Mauritius

The seminar will cover the details of recently finalized Basel III reforms by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) especially aspects relating to the standardized approaches for Credit and Operational risks as well as Leverage Ratio framework, Credit Value Adjustment risk framework and introduction of a robust Output Floor.

In the wake of the global financial crisis, the BCBS has been reviewing the adequacy of the capital framework and completed revisions in December 2017. The aim was not only to address the weaknesses that were revealed during the crisis, but also to reflect the experience gained with the implementation of the Basel framework since 2004. The Basel III framework, being the central element of the BCBS’s response to the crisis, addresses a number of shortcomings in the pre-crisis regulatory framework and provides a foundation for a resilient banking system that will help avoid the build-up of systemic vulnerabilities. The BCBS has revised the standardized approaches for credit, market and operational risks. The BCBS’s objective has been to ensure that the combined revisions to the standardized approaches imply that the capital requirements reflect the inherent riskiness of exposures and that the standardized approaches constitute a suitable alternative and complement to internal models. It has also revised certain elements of the Internal Ratings Based Approach to credit risk, leverage ratio framework, output floor and transitional arrangements. This will have a substantial impact on the Basel II/III implementation program of many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and there is an urgent need for prudential regulators to keep abreast of these developments.

Foreign Exchange Market Simulation for Central Banks

06/25/2018 - 06/29/2018 Johannesburg, South Africa

Recent experience of exchange rate volatility in sub-Saharan African countries has forced many central banks to rethink their foreign exchange market operations. Inefficiency of market movement shows there is a general need to move away from pure administrative measures towards more market conforming methods and to deepen the understanding of money and foreign exchange market dynamics. Thus, central banks in the region are currently striving to improve their market intelligence for better understanding of market dynamics, to update market conventions and regulations, develop new instruments, and improve central bank operations to increase market efficiency and price discovery. To complement regular TA within this area, this workshop will provide for both theoretical fundamental knowledge and practical skills training.

This workshop’s intensive program will provide for close to real-life simulations of trade in a foreign exchange market environment. It is tailored to central banks and deals extensively with market conventions, role of central banks in the foreign exchange markets, and forward transactions. The workshop will have several sessions with foreign exchange market simulation exercises which are carried out on an electronic trading platform. The participants will trade with each other while market news come in. In addition, the workshop will include sessions on interbank market conventions, swap and forward instruments, characteristics of forward markets, trading platforms - features for swaps, and methods for trading.
This program is delivered by ACI Australia, which has a long experience in this type of FX market simulation courses. More information about ACI and the dealing simulations can be found at: http://aciaustralia.com.au/
Language requirements: The course will be conducted in English and good working knowledge of English is required
As the event is held jointly with AFRITAC West 2 and East AFRITAC it will provide an excellent forum for experts from Eastern, Southern and Western African central banks to exchange experiences.

International Financial Reporting Standards(IFRS)

03/19/2018 - 03/23/2018 Ebene, Mauritius

This seminar is designed for mid- to senior-level officials in central banks and bank supervisory agencies directly
responsible for prudential regulation, on-site and off-site supervision of banks. The seminar will be held in Mauritius,
during March 19-23, 2018.
IFRS has been adopted in most countries in the region and the implementation of IFRS 9 from January 2018 is expected to
usher in a paradigm shift, in the manner in which financial institutions classify, measure, and account for impairment of
financial instruments. Intricately connected to IFRS 9 are two other accounting standards, IFRS 7 (Financial Instruments:
Disclosure) and IFRS 13 (Fair value measurement of financial instruments). The goal of the seminar is to enhance the ability
of prudential regulators and bank supervisors/examiners to understand the implementation challenges of IFRS with
specific focus on these standards. The seminar is designed to expose officials to the underlying concepts of these standards
and equip them with the tools and techniques for conducting supervision of banks/financial institutions under the new
framework in the most effective way.
A key objective will be to raise awareness of the inter-linkages among these standards and implementation challenges.
After completing the seminar, officials will gain insight into the implications of IFRS 9 on credit risk models and blend the
IFRS 9 requirements with existing methods and models used for risk and regulatory purpose. The seminar will help prepare
participants for an efficient transition to IFRS 9 and design supervisory frameworks appropriate for their jurisdictions.
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and learn the following:
 Critical aspects of IFRS 7, IFRS 9, and IFRS 13
 Classification and Measurement and Impairment of Financial Instruments under IAS 39 & IFRS 9
 Asset classification & Provisioning -Regulatory Approach
 Disclosure requirements of IFRS 7
 Fair Value Accounting -IFRS 13
 BCBS guidance on accounting for Expected Losses
 Transition arrangements of IFRS 9
 Implementation issues in IFRS 9
 Country experiences. Presentation by participants

International Survey on Revenue Administration (ISORA) and Managing Performance

03/12/2018 - 03/16/2018 Ebene, Mauritius

Revenue administrations are responsible for administering revenue laws and collecting revenue. They also have to provide advice to Ministries of Finance to help in the analysis of tax policy. To be effective and efficient in managing their performance on influencing compliance, and in meeting their external reporting requirements, revenue administrations need data. They need to base decisions on good information and intelligence, derived from analysis of quality data.

In response to this need, the IMF’s Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southern Africa (AFRITAC South) will jointly host a Seminar on the International Survey on Revenue Administration (ISORA) and Managing Performance in a tax administration with AFRITAC East (AFE) and AFRITAC West 2 (AFW2). The program is sponsored jointly by the regional technical assistance centers (RTAC) and the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD). It is designed for coordinators of the ISORA for Tax administration. The 5-day seminar will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa at the OR Tambo International Airport Intercontinental Hotel, during the week February 26- March 2, 2018.

The purpose of the seminar is to discuss the importance of performance management in enabling tax administrations to be effective and efficient. It will focus on the role of the ISORA in enhancing the effectiveness of performance measurement through providing revenue administration management with relevant information for control and decision making.

Fiscal Policy Analysis

02/26/2018 - 03/09/2018 Ebene, Mauritius

This course, presented by the IMF's Institute for Capacity Development, aims at providing an overview of the key fiscal policy concepts and techniques used to analyze how fiscal policy can help ensure macroeconomic stability and sustainable long-term growth. This hands-on course is built around core macro-fiscal topics needed to analyze fiscal policy. Units will be substantiated by general empirical findings, Excel-based workshops, case studies, and selected topics of regional interest. The course will be of interest to officials who wish to gain a broad understanding of the impact of fiscal policy on the economy and related tools of analysis.

Course objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- discuss the role of fiscal policy in attaining the key objectives of the government’s macroeconomic stability, equity and efficiency, and sustainable long-term growth; and
- use the relevant tools and techniques to assess the fiscal stance, fiscal multipliers, and debt sustainability.

The course will also review the key elements of tax and expenditure policy: concepts and best practices.

Compiling Producer Price Indices

02/19/2018 - 02/23/2018 Ebene, Mauritius

The main objective is to strengthen the participants’ knowledge of price index concepts and methods. The focus will be on specific data sources and compilation procedures.
This five-day seminar will focus on specific issues and challenges relating to the implementation of international standards and best practices regarding the compilation of price indices. Topics will include general price indices issues, challenges, and problems such as developing/updating weights, selecting samples, quality adjustment issues, pricing difficult items, and others. Participants will be invited to list specific questions, topics, issues which will be discussed during the seminar.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required

Managing Macroeconomic Statistics

02/01/2018 - 02/02/2018 South Africa

The following topics will be covered:
• roles and responsibilities of a national statistical office;
• demand for statistics for policy formulation;
• statistical leadership;
• statistical standards;
• dissemination of data and metadata;
• data quality;
• development of practical strategies;
• the IMF’s Results-Based Management Framework.