African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF)

The vision of the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF) is a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, conflict-free, developmental African continent.

The ARF is committed to promoting South Africa’s national interests and values, the African Renaissance and the creation of a better world for all.

In order to ensure that funding through the ARF is effective, the ARF has adopted the values of the Paris and Rome declarations on aid effectiveness. The ARF will ensure that the following key values are adhered to: the recipient country must take ownership of the process of determining the immediate-, medium- and long-term actions that will address the issues contained in its project proposal; the recipient country must achieve an understanding of the political, economic and security considerations; and a needs assessment should be conducted with direct involvement and ownership of the process by the country concerned.

Integrated planning and coordination are critical in ensuring that South Africa’s efforts are in line with the development needs of the identified country.

In addition to the above, the ARF will conduct its business while constantly adhering to the values of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), namely: patriotism, loyalty, dedication, Ubuntu, constitutional values (Chapter 10) and Batho Pele.

The aim of the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund is to: enhance cooperation between the Republic and other countries, in particular African countries, through the promotion of democracy, good governance, the prevention and resolution of conflict, socio-economic development and integration, humanitarian assistance and human resource development; to repeal three Acts; and to provide for matters incidental thereto.