The African Peer Review Mechanism

The report examines the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an African self-monitoring tool for governance, democracy, and human rights adopted under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad). Based on a five-year research project by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the text analyzes the rules, national governance, and research processes of the APRM. It specifically focuses on the experiences of five pioneer countries—Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Mauritius, and South Africa—to identify the political dynamics and the role of civil society in making the process credible. The document argues that the APRM represents a 'governance revolution' in Africa, shifting from post-independence rule by decree toward accountability and transparency.

• The APRM was established as an 'African self-monitoring mechanism' to ensure that progress in democracy, human rights, and good governance within the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) becomes 'irreversible'.
• The mechanism is described as a response to a 'crisis of governance and political legitimacy' that affected most African states by the late 1980s, characterized by leaders who ruled without consulting citizens and the prevalence of one-party systems.
• In Ghana, the APRM is viewed as a tool to achieve a 'democratic, accountable and transparent government' and to attract private investment by improving the image of national institutions.
• The active participation of civil society organisations is identified as a 'crucial need' to ensure the APRM process remains 'viable and credible', marking the first time civil society has been given a formal role in African governance systems.
• The report identifies Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya as the first three countries to complete their country reports and actual peer reviews.
• The APRM is positioned as a potential catalyst for a 'new kind of African diplomacy' and the 'renaissance of the continent', provided that leaders hold each other accountable to the principles they espouse.

APA

Herbert, R., & Gruzd, S. (2008). The African Peer Review Mechanism. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/aprm_pioneers_part0_20090219.pdf

Chicago

Herbert, Ross, and Steven Gruzd. The African Peer Review Mechanism. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2008. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/aprm_pioneers_part0_20090219.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Herbert |first1=Ross |last2=Gruzd |first2=Steven |title=The African Peer Review Mechanism |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=February 2008 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/aprm_pioneers_part0_20090219.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{herbert2008african, author = {Herbert, Ross and Gruzd, Steven}, title = {{The African Peer Review Mechanism}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2008}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/aprm_pioneers_part0_20090219.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }