Capturing the 21st Century: African Peer Review (APRM) Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Abstract

A newly published study by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) seeks to respond to key questions about the relevance of the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), on the margins of the ongoing celebrations to commemorate 50 years of the Organization for African Unity (OAU), which is now the African Union. The book’s launch this week also coincides with the screening of a video documentary “The APRM: Working for the African People”. The report highlights the importance of situating the APRM within the history of African development since colonial times and the struggle for democracy on the continent. It also teases out the presentations and discussions that provide insightful comparative analyses of the APRM and development and governance policy issues that have emerged from the APRM country processes. The report discusses the limitations of the APRM and proposes the need to focus on what it can deliver. The report further provides an insight into the complementary debate on democracy and development and the way forward for Africa amidst the challenges of globalization and African continental integration.