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About APRM
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE APRM? WHAT ARE ITS OBJECTIVES?
The APRM was initiated in 2002 and established in 2003 by the African Union in the framework of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The objectives of the APRM are primarily to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated subregional and continental economic integration through experience sharing and reinforcement of successful and best practices, including identifying deficiencies and assessment of requirements for capacity building.
HOW DO COUNTRIES BECOME MEMBERS OF THE APRM PROCESS?
Membership of the APRM is voluntary and open to all member countries of the African Union (AU). The process of accession usually starts with a country’s expression of interest to become a member of the APRM, which is then followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the country and the APRM Forum at any of the Biannual AU/APRM Summits. The MoU was adopted in March 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria. The annual contribution from each member country is 100,000 $ US.
WHAT ARE THE THEMATIC AREAS OF THE APRM?
Performance and Progress are measured in four substantive areas:
- Democracy and Political Governance
- Economic Governance
- Corporate Governance and
- Socio-economic Development
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF REVIEW?
There are four types of review:
- A base review, which is the first country review carried out within 18 months after a country becomes a member of the APRM
- A periodic review that takes place every two to four years
- A Member country may, for its own reasons, request a review outside the framework of the periodically mandated Reviews
- Early signs of impending political and economic crisis in a member country could also be sufficient cause for commissioning a Review.
IS THE APRM AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT?
The APRM is used by member countries to self-monitor all aspects of their governance and socio-economic development. The exercise is not limited to the Executive. It includes the Legislative and Judicial Branches of Government as well as an assessment of the Private Sector, Civil Society and the Media in the areas of governance and socio-economic development.
The overall review process provides a national space for dialogue on governance and socio-economic indicators in the Member State, and the opportunity to build a national consensus on the way forward. The National Programme of Action (NPoA) prepared at the end of the review process actualizes the road map agreed upon by all stakeholders.
HOW IS AN APRM REVIEW CONDUCTED?
The APRM Review Mission is only one part of the overall Peer Review Process. A typical Review Mission may last for two and a half to three weeks, excluding the preparatory team meetings and the writing of the Country Review Report.
The Mission meets with all national stakeholders and Government Departments, Civil Society, including Religious Organizations, Academia, Minorities, Trade Unions, Members of the Judiciary, Parliament and Political Parties; Local Government Representatives, Women’s Organizations, Youth Groups, the Private Sector, including the Informal Sector Business Federations and/or Operators, Chambers of Commerce, Commercial Banks, Insurance Companies, Professional Bodies - Chartered Accountants, the Legal Profession, etc.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PEER REVIEW?
The National Programme of Action (NPoA) is implemented after the peer review of a Member State at a Summit of the APRM Heads of State and Government (APR Forum). The NPoA is divided into short-term, mediumterm and long-term goals that can be monitored on a continuous basis. The monitoring body can be the National Commission/Governing Council, or a smaller representative body including state and non-state actors. This body monitors the implementation of the NPoA and prepares a six-monthly Progress Report and an Annual Progress Report for the APR Forum. After three years, the Member State is eligible for a subsequent review. In addition, the Base Documents stipulate that no later than six months following discussions on its contents, the Country Review Report considered by the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government is officially and publicly tabled in sub-regional and regional institutions. These include the Pan-African Parliament, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the AU Peace and Security Council and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC-AU). The Report is then made available to the public.
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