Challenges
Strong financial capacities is essential for institutions to manage resources effectively, ensure accountability, and deliver development results. Yet many organisations - especially in emerging or fragile contexts - face persistent barriers to building and sustaining robust financial systems:
- Limited technical expertise: Public institutions, NGOs, and implementing partners often lack skilled financial personnel and institutionalised knowledge regarding financial best practices.
- Outdated systems and processes: Many organisations rely on manual or outdated tools for budgeting, accounting, and reporting that slow decision-making and increase the risk of errors.
- Inefficient organisational structures: Fragmented roles, weak coordination, and unclear financial responsibilities contribute to inefficiency and vulnerability to mismanagement.
- Inconsistent compliance: Organisations may struggle to comply with donor-specific financial requirements, especially when multiple funding streams are involved.
- Lack of sustainability: Without long-term planning, knowledge transfer, or staff retention strategies, capacity gains often fade once external support ends.
GFA concept and services
At GFA’s Public Finance Management (PFM) Department, we work to strengthen the financial capacities of our clients across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Our services are designed to build self-reliant institutions that can manage funds effectively, maintain compliance, and support their development goals independently.
INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
- Comprehensive organisational and financial capacity assessments
- Support for restructuring financial departments and clarifying roles and responsibilities
- Development of financial manuals, standard operational procedures (SOPs), and internal control frameworks
- Strengthening of budgeting, accounting, reporting, and audit preparation processes
TAILORED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
- Design and delivery of customised training programmes on PFM principles, tools, and donor compliance
- On-the-job coaching and mentorship for finance teams
- Support to national staff development and regional knowledge exchange
- Development of e-learning platforms and digital training resources
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY
- Support in aligning financial practices with national development strategies
- Assistance in long-term financial planning, forecasting, and risk management
- Development of retention strategies for skilled financial personnel
- Promotion of local ownership and gradual transfer of financial responsibilities
FIELD-PROVEN IMPACT
GFA has delivered capacity development services across ministries, universities, and NGOs in countries such as Namibia, Senegal, Georgia, and beyond. For instance:
- In Namibia, GFA helped the Ministry of Health align its financial systems with Global Fund policies and improve internal audit readiness.
- In Senegal, we supported the University of Saint-Louis in mapping financial flows, identifying risks, and enhancing procedures in line with Mastercard Foundation requirements.
- In Georgia, we strengthened the State Audit Office’s institutional framework, enabling a significant increase in performance audit capacity and quality.
WHY GFA?
- Over two decades of experience in institutional development and PFM trainingA pool of more than 1,000 multi-lingual experts ready for rapid deployment
- Commitment to local empowerment through transfer of knowledge and systems
- Integration with GFA’s broader services in fund management, audit, procurement, and IT
We see capacity building not as a standalone activity, but as a strategic investment in sustainable development. GFA ensures that our partners gain the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take full ownership of financial management - today and in the future.
Contact
Simon Ansel
Portfolio Manager
E-mail: simon.ansel[at]gfa-group.de
Louis Leca
Portfolio Manager
E-mail: louis.leca[at]gfa-group.de
Photo title: LilaBird | istock
