By Fortune Madondo

Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President in 1957, famously declared: “Seek ye first the political kingdom, and all other things shall be added unto you.” This was his rallying cry for immediate independence from colonial rule. Seventy years later, Africa is politically free, yet tangible development remains elusive.

Today, the continent needs a new call: “Seek ye first good governance, and all other socio-economic developments shall follow.” In pursuit of this, the African Union launched the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in 2003 as part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

APRM Visits Zimbabwe

From 3–18 November 2025, APRM conducted its first targeted review in Zimbabwe, led by Ambassador Aly El-Hefny of Egypt. He emphasized that the process is “for Africans, by Africans” and will serve as a benchmark for other nations, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and sustainable development.

Ambassador James Manzou, Chairperson of APRM Zimbabwe, noted that the review involves government ministries, legislators, provincial and traditional leaders, the private sector, civil society, academia, and media — all focused on economic governance and management.

What Is APRM?

The APRM is a voluntary self-monitoring instrument adopted by AU member states to promote peer learning and accountability in governance. Its goal is to strengthen political, economic, corporate, and social governance across Africa

Genesis

Launched on 9 March 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria, APRM provides a framework for countries to assess governance performance, share best practices, and address challenges.

Areas of Concern

APRM reviews four thematic areas:

•      Democracy and political governance

•      Economic governance and management

•      Corporate governance

•      Socio-economic development

Purpose

The mechanism enables countries to evaluate governance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and accelerate reforms that enhance transparency and development.

African in Nature

Unlike externally imposed initiatives, APRM is homegrown — designed and led by Africans to serve African priorities.

Governance Trinity

NEPAD, as the AU’s development agency, designed APRM. Together, AU, NEPAD, and APRM form a governance “trinity”: AU as the father, NEPAD the son, and APRM the spirit guiding Africa toward cleaner governance and reform.

Pros

•      Encourages dialogue and participation across multiple stakeholders.

•      Functions as an early warning system, credited with anticipating Kenya’s 2007 post-election violence.

•      Facilitates sharing of experiences and reinforcement of successful policies.

•      Provides accountability through public reports and progress reviews.

Cons

•      Voluntary and non-binding, with no enforcement powers — often seen as “toothless.”

•      Risk of bias when governments dominate participant selection.

•      Limited public awareness reduces engagement and impact.

Critique

Analysts argue APRM has “tremendous potential, but is not a panacea” (Steven Gruzd). It can identify problems and best practices but cannot enforce solutions. Challenges include rivalries, weak structures, and limited evidence of effectiveness.

Still, APRM has widened political space and involved more citizens in governance. Observers conclude it is a vital tool for promoting accountability and reform, best used as a complementary mechanism rather than a cure-all for Africa’s governance challenges.

 F. Madondo (African Teacher)

fortmada123@gmail.com