Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will officially launch the African Peer Review Mechanism in Zimbabwe tomorrow, marking a major milestone in the country’s governance and development trajectory as it positions itself among African nations embracing accountability, policy innovation and best-practice sharing.
The launch ceremony, to be held in Harare, comes after Cabinet approved Zimbabwe’s APRM National Programme of Action and follows the country’s successful presentation of its governance review report at continental level.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who chairs the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government, is expected to participate through his representative, Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo.
The APRM is a voluntary African Union instrument established in 2003 to promote good governance, democracy, economic management and socio-economic development through self-assessment and peer review among member States.
Zimbabwe acceded to the mechanism in 2020 and has since been implementing processes leading to the official launch.
Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said preparations for the historic event were progressing smoothly.
“Cabinet received and approved the memorandum on the Zimbabwe African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action, and preparations for the official launch of the APRM in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Soda.
President Mnangagwa, the minister said, recently presented Zimbabwe’s review report on ‘Economic Governance and Management’ at the 35th Ordinary Session of the APRM Forum.
“The report identified practices for emulation by member States including: Transformative leadership, performance contracting, land reform, village business units under Rural Development 8.0 model, innovation under Heritage Based Education 5.0 and Monetary Policy Revitalisation centred on the “Back -to Basics” Approach.
“Preparations are progressing well for the inaugural official launch of the APRM in Zimbabwe by His Excellency, Dr ED Mnangagwa on July 16, 2026.
“This historic occasion will also be graced by His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government, who shall be represented by Her Excellency, Major (Rtd) Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Vice President of the Republic of Uganda,” said Minister Soda.
Zimbabwe’s APRM journey has coincided with the implementation of wide-ranging reforms under the Second Republic, including public sector performance contracting, decentralisation and devolution, education transformation through the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model, and rural industrialisation initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and accelerating economic growth.
The National Programme of Action approved by Cabinet is expected to provide a roadmap for implementing recommendations arising from the review process while consolidating gains already recorded in governance, economic management and social development.
The launch is also expected to reinforce Zimbabwe’s commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the country’s Vision 2030 agenda of attaining an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income economy.
