The African Peer Review Mechanism at 20: Good governance remains an unevenly met goal

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the 20-year history of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It details the mechanism's evolution from its 2003 inception to its current status as an AU-incorporated body with 43 member states, while highlighting systemic failures in implementation, slow review throughput, and the limited impact of its recommendations on overall continental governance.

• The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was established in 2003 to promote good governance by diagnosing gaps and proposing solutions via National Programmes of Action (NPoA). While it has grown to 43 member states as of February 2023, only 60% (26 states) have completed a first review, and only five countries—Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda—have undergone a second review.
• The mechanism has faced significant operational challenges, including slow throughput and delays in publishing Country Review Reports (CRRs). Some nations, such as Angola and Malawi, joined in 2004 but failed to start the process due to lack of funding or political will. In Tanzania, the CRR was published in 2017, four years after the review took place, despite a guideline that reports should be published six months after the head of state's review.
• Despite a leadership turnaround under CEO Prof Eddy Maloka since 2016—which saw the APRM fully incorporated into the AU and given an expanded mandate to monitor the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063—the actual impact on governance is questionable. SAIIA research indicates that second reviews often show little progress over first reviews, and data from Afrobarometer and the Ibrahim Index of African Governance suggest continental governance has remained steady or declined.
• The effectiveness of the APRM is hindered by member states ignoring recommendations and failing to properly budget or plan for their National Programmes of Action (NPoAs). Between 2003 and 2018, the mechanism reported cumulative income of $48.8-million from members.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2023). The African Peer Review Mechanism at 20: Good governance remains an unevenly met goal. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-african-peer-review-mechanism-at-20-good-governance-remains-an-unevenly-met-goal/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The African Peer Review Mechanism at 20: Good governance remains an unevenly met goal. 2023. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-african-peer-review-mechanism-at-20-good-governance-remains-an-unevenly-met-goal/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The African Peer Review Mechanism at 20: Good governance remains an unevenly met goal |date=16 March 2023 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/the-african-peer-review-mechanism-at-20-good-governance-remains-an-unevenly-met-goal/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2023african, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The African Peer Review Mechanism at 20: Good governance remains an unevenly met goal}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2023}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/the-african-peer-review-mechanism-at-20-good-governance-remains-an-unevenly-met-goal/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }