Improving Capacity to Leverage Remittances for Development in Africa: Supporting the Establishment and Operationalisation of the African Institute for Remittances

This project aims to contribute to the formal establishment and operationalization of the African Institute for Remittances (AIR) of the African Union, which will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya. The first component of this project will be aimed at catalyzing the work of the AIR by ensuring its physical establishment and operational capacity. This will be achieved by providing technical support for the establishment of administrative systems for the Institute and in staff recruitment, by providing skills training and technical support to the staff of AIR, and by refurbishing office space and providing appropriate Information, Technology, and Communications (ITC) equipment to facilitate the operation of AIR. The second component of the project will ensure that the AIR will continue to function as intended following the cessation of external support. This will be achieved by providing technical support and guidance in the development of a three-year costed workplan, and support for the development and implementation of a sustainability strategy. The initial implementation of this strategy will include resource mobilization sessions in the African Union Headquarters, and at regional development partner headquarters throughout Africa, in addition to on-going advocacy with the African Union to include budgetary allocations for the AIR.