Next Time Better? Conducting the APRM’s ‘Second-Generation’ Reviews

The policy brief examines the transition of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) from initial 'base' reviews to 'second-generation' periodic reviews. It identifies systemic weaknesses in the first-generation process—including excessive costs, cumbersome reporting, and poor implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs)—and recommends institutional reforms to regain momentum. Key suggestions include maintaining National Governing Councils (NGCs) for institutional memory, improving continental leadership at the Secretariat, and tailoring future reviews to emphasize specific issues identified in previous assessments to ensure greater accountability.

• Despite the APRM's design for regular governance assessments, no country had completed a full 'second-generation' review as of August 2015, and no reviews were undertaken between 2013 and the date of publication.
• First-generation reviews faced significant operational hurdles, including costs ranging from $1 million to $3 million per country and timelines that consistently exceeded the intended six-to-nine-month window.
• The implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs) has been inconsistent, with some countries ignoring findings, failing to meet commitments, or developing ineffectual strategies.
• Political interference has impacted the review process, exemplified by the South African government editing the Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR) and the Kenyan government requesting the withdrawal of a 2011 partial second review due to alleged inaccuracies.
• The APRM Secretariat has been hindered by a lack of stable leadership, specifically the long-term absence of a permanent chief executive officer.
• To improve second-generation reviews, the author recommends maintaining National Governing Councils (NGCs) and utilizing Technical Research Institutes to preserve institutional memory.

APA

Corrigan, T. (2015). Next Time Better? Conducting the APRM’s ‘Second-Generation’ Reviews. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Policy-Briefing-141.pdf

Chicago

Corrigan, Terence. Next Time Better? Conducting the APRM’s ‘Second-Generation’ Reviews. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2015. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Policy-Briefing-141.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Corrigan |first1=Terence |title=Next Time Better? Conducting the APRM’s ‘Second-Generation’ Reviews |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=August 2015 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Policy-Briefing-141.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{corrigan2015next, author = {Corrigan, Terence}, title = {{Next Time Better? Conducting the APRM’s ‘Second-Generation’ Reviews}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2015}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Policy-Briefing-141.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }