The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is hosting a series of events across the African continent to commemorate its 10th Anniversary. The Anniversary’s signature event is the APRM Colloquium, which is scheduled for 21 and 22 May in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Colloquium will serve as a platform for high-level discussions on Governance-related issues among prominent African scholars, thought leaders, government officials, governance academics and practitioners. The discussions are expected to highlight the importance of good governance in the social, political and economic transformation processes to the promotion of sustainable growth and development in Africa.

In a recent interview, Mr. Assefa Shifa, Chief Executive Officer of the APRM, opined that as the APRM commemorates its 10th Anniversary in 2013, it is imperative to reflect on the achievements made by the Mechanism and the challenges identified in order to improve the instruments and processes of the Mechanism and enhance its effectiveness over the next decade.

“We hope that the discussions of the Colloquium will highlight lessons learnt in a decade of implementation of the self-assessment and peer review exercises. It is also important to draw on experiences across the seventeen countries that have so far completed these processes.

We also envisage discussions on forward-looking strategies that will give new prominence to the role of the APRM as an innovative instrument of good governance in Africa,” Mr. Shifa said.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, the benefits derived from the APRM cannot be overemphasized. The Mechanism has opened up the political space for citizens’ participation in policy debates. It has fostered national dialogue and increased advocacy for good governance and improved service delivery. In some countries, its findings have warned of impending crises

and the APRM provided a useful framework for reform and reconstruction in the event of crises.

The APRM has successfully created a platform for African peer learning and the sharing of experiences and best practices.

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an initiative of the African Union, was established in March 2003 by the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). It is a self-monitoring instrument of good governance to which Member States of the African Union voluntarily accede. The APRM currently has thirty-three (33) member states. Seventeen (17) of the countries have completed their self-assessment exercise and have been peer-reviewed by the Forum of Heads of State and Government.

A series of events will be organized throughout the continent to promote public awareness and understanding of the APRM, educate the citizenry about the state of governance in Africa and encourage ownership of the APRM at all levels, among other objectives.

The APRM Colloquium coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the African Union.

See below links to documents related to the Colloquium

The African Peer Review Mechanism, The “Hegemonic Presidency” And Democratic Governance In Africa By George Klay Kieh, Jr.

Quality Education and Promotion of Development in Africa By Mbaya J. Kankwenda

Building Effective Democratic Institutions in Africa By L. Adele Jinadu

The State and the Market in the building of African economies by Mahmoud Ben Romdhane

Mécanisme Africain d’Evaluation par les Pairs 10e Anniversaire Etat et Etat et marché dans la construction des économies africaines By Mahmoud Ben Romdhane

La gouvernance des entreprises en Afrique Aperçu sur les principales caractéristiques et les défis actuels Pr. Karim Ben Kahla

Éducation de qualité et promotion du développement en Afrique By Mbaya J. Kankwenda

Création D'institutions Démocratiques Efficaces En Afrique By L.Adele Jinadu