It’s Time for the National Programme of Action

The policy note examines the role of National Programmes of Action (NPOAs) as the primary output of the African Peer Review Mechanism's (APRM) country self-assessment process. It argues that while NPOAs are critical for transparency, accountability, and participatory development, they have been neglected due to a loss of interest in the APRM process and the declining role of National Governing Councils. The author proposes reviving NPOAs by identifying champions, creating channels of influence, finding synergies with African Union structures like NEPAD, and integrating NPOAs with national budgets and development plans.

• National Programmes of Action (NPOAs) are the result of the APRM's country self-assessment process and serve to identify governance discrepancies and provide time-bound commitments for improvement across political, economic, corporate, and socio-economic sectors.
• NPOAs differ from National Development Plans in that NPOAs are programmes of action focused on tangible changes in four pillars of governance, whereas National Development Plans are broader policies guiding a country's socio-economic path.
• Despite their potential, NPOAs have been shelved or neglected, a situation worsened by the declining influence of National Governing Councils and a general lack of interest in the APRM process.
• NPOAs provide six primary advantages: they act as measurable indicators of progress, showcase best practices for replication, facilitate participatory development, serve as learning tools for citizens on national planning, function as instruments for transparency and accountability, and act as advocacy tools in international governance.
• To revive NPOAs, the author suggests finding champions within National Governing Councils, creating channels of influence, seeking synergies with African Union bodies such as NEPAD, the Pan African Parliament, and Regional Economic Communities, and integrating NPOAs with national budgets and millennium development goals.

APA

Achieng’, R. M. (2013). It’s Time for the National Programme of Action. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Policy-Note-1.pdf

Chicago

Achieng’, Roseline M. It’s Time for the National Programme of Action. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2013. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Policy-Note-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Achieng’ |first1=Roseline M. |title=It’s Time for the National Programme of Action |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=January 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Policy-Note-1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{achieng2013its, author = {Achieng’, Roseline M.}, title = {{It’s Time for the National Programme of Action}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = jan, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Policy-Note-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }