African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)

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APRM Secretariat, NEPAD
The Development Bank Of SA
1258 Lever Road
Midrand (Johannesburg)
1685
South Africa

Tel: +27 11 313 3716

Website: http://www.nepad.org/aprm

Dr. Bernard Kouassi, Chief Executive, APRM

Description

The peer review process has its genesis in the NPAD document with its emphasis on people-centred development, good governance, promotion of human rights and the rule of law. The review process is therefore de-facto and de-jure a mutually agreed instrument voluntarily acceded to by member states of the African Union. It is a kind of self-monitoring tool. This is by far a noble, bold and unique initiative in Africa by Africans.

Although the process is implemented at country levels, the authority of APRM is vested in the Committee of Participating heads of State and Government of the member states of the African Peer Review Forum. The mandate of the Forum includes:

• Appointing the panel of Eminent Persons;
• Considering country reports;
• Making appropriate recommendations to just reviewed countries;
• Peer dialogue and persuasion;
• Securing funding of the APR process;
• Working with development partners to support the implementation of the Program of Action of the reviewed countries.

The African Peer Review Panel is appointed by the heads of State and Government to oversee the conduct and the implementation of the review process. The Panel is assisted by a Secretariat based in the NEPAD Secretariat in Midrand, South Africa. The Secretariat provides technical, secretarial, coordinating and administrative support.

So far, 27 countries have acceded to the review process and more than five have completed their review. The review covers broad areas on:

• Democracy and Good Political Governance;
• Economic Governance and Management;
• Corporate Governance;
• Socio-Economic Development