Hikmet Abdella, CEO of Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Ethiopia, has been appointed to the board of the International Non-Profit Reporting Foundation (INPRF), marking a significant milestone for African representation in global financial governance.
The appointment places the veteran Ethiopian finance expert at the forefront of the foundation’s mission to implement the International Non-Profit Accounting Guidance (INPAG). This initiative represents the first standardized accounting framework specifically developed for the global non-profit sector, aimed at bridging the current gap in international financial reporting.
Currently, non-profit organizations often struggle to navigate a fragmented reporting landscape where requirements vary significantly across national jurisdictions and donor mandates. By joining the board, Hikmet is expected to play a vital role in ensuring that the emerging international standards are inclusive, scalable, and responsive to the unique operational realities of developing economies like Ethiopia.
“I am honored and delighted to have the opportunity to serve as a board member,” Hikmet said following the announcement. “I am ready to work with enthusiasm and passion to realize the reporting framework for non-profit organizations and ensure its sustainability in a way that benefits all stakeholders.”
Hikmet brings deep technical expertise to the INPRF. Before her tenure at FSD Ethiopia, she served as the Director General of the Accounting and Auditing Board of Ethiopia (AABE). She is also well-known for her role as the founder and country manager of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Ethiopia, a position she held from 2004 to 2013, where she helped modernize the country’s accounting profession.
The INPRF Board Chairs noted that Hikmet’s appointment is a natural evolution of her long-term engagement with the governance group of the International Non-Profit Accounting Standards (INPAS). Beyond her regulatory work, she has held leadership roles with the Ethiopian Red Cross Society and the Center for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC).
Her influence extends into Ethiopia’s strategic development sphere as well. In 2022, she was among the 50 members of the “Destiny Ethiopia” initiative tasked with drafting alternative long-term development scenarios for the country’s trajectory toward 2040. She is also a prominent participant in the Female CEO Breakfast Club (FCBC).
Industry experts believe her presence on the INPRF board will be instrumental in adapting international accounting frameworks to local contexts. By advocating for standards that foster trust and accountability, Hikmet’s leadership is expected to improve the flow of funding to the sector, helping non-profits demonstrate clearer impact to both local communities and international donors.
