President Mnangagwa launches African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action

President Mnangagwa is today expected to officially launch the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
Our Reporter Harmony Agere and Photographer Memory Mangombe are in Mt Hampden and will provide live coverage.
The APRM is a voluntary, African-led self-monitoring mechanism established by the African Union in 2003 to assess governance and socio-economic development among participating member states.
Under the mechanism, participating countries undertake peer reviews in four key thematic areas: democracy and political governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance, and socio-economic development.
The APRM seeks to promote political stability, sustainable development and regional integration through the sharing of best practices and the identification of governance and institutional capacity gaps.

Uganda’s VP graces event
Uganda’s Vice President, Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, who arrived in Harare yesterday afternoon to stand in for APRM Chairperson, President Yoweri Museveni, will attend the event.

Writing on his X handle after the Ugandan Vice President paid a courtesy call on him yesterday, President said during their discussions, they reaffirmed the deep-rooted bilateral relations and shared Pan-African values between Zimbabwe and Uganda.
“Her presence is a testament to our continent’s collective commitment to self-assessment and African solutions to African challenges
“The official launch of Zimbabwe’s Review Report of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a landmark event that marks a significant milestone in our country’s governance trajectory, policy innovations, and socio-economic reforms under the Second Republic,” said President Mnangagwa.
VP Alupo said Kampala supports Harare’s efforts to implement the APRM report.
“Uganda will support Zimbabwe on the implementation of issues to do with that report for the good of all the people of Zimbabwe,” she said.
“The issues in the report are based on the socio-economic transformation of Zimbabwe and the economic independence of the people of Zimbabwe, as well as the financial inclusion of all the people of Zimbabwe in the national economy.


What is the African Peer Review Mechanism and what does it do?
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was established in 2003 by the African Union Heads of State and Government as a unique, voluntary instrument for promoting good governance across the continent.
Its primary objective is to foster practices that contribute to political stability, robust economic growth, sustainable and inclusive development, and accelerated regional and continental integration.
The APRM aims to address systemic governance and development challenges among AU Member States by promoting adherence to democratic principles, human rights, and sound socio-economic policies.
The Mechanism currently assesses governance in six thematic areas:
 Democracy and political governance
 Economic governance and management
 Corporate governance
 Socio-economic development
 State resilience to shocks and disasters
 and e-governance
Zimbabwe officially joined the APRM in 2020 during the 29th Session of the African Peer Review (APR) Forum of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The establishment of the APRM in Zimbabwe serves as a crucial mechanism for self-evaluation, peer accountability, and ongoing improvement.
When Zimbabwe joined the APRM, she was targeting the pillar of economic governance and management.
In November last year, the country underwent a targeted review on economic governance and management across the country’s ten provinces, under the guidance of the APRM Continental Secretariat.
President Mnangagwa presented the country’s Review Report, which was successfully peer-reviewed at the 35th APR Forum of Heads of State and Government in February this year in Addis Ababa.


Countries reporting under APRM
Forty-five countries from across the African continent have voluntarily acceded to the APRM, including Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Participating countries undertake a comprehensive and participatory review process, involving consultations with government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders.

This culminates in a high-level peer review by Heads of State and Government, reinforcing collective accountability and mutual learning across the continent.
A majority of these states have completed their first-generation peer reviews, with others undergoing second-generation or targeted reviews.


Top officials attend launch event

Several Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials are now at the Parliament Building as delegates continue to trickle in.

As Zimbabwe pursues Vision 2030, participation in the APRM is expected to reinforce efforts to build resilient institutions, strengthen economic governance and improve service delivery, making the mechanism an important instrument in the country’s long-term development agenda.



President arrives

President Mnangagwa has arrived at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden to officially launch the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action.

The launch also marks a significant milestone in strengthening accountability, promoting best practices, and deepening national participation in implementing reforms across key areas of public life.


Official proceedings begin
President Mnangagwa and the top leadership, including Uganda VP Jessica Rose Epel Alupo and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga have entered the venue.

This marks the beginning of the official programme.

Among those at the VIP table are Chief Secretary to the President Dr Martin Rushwaya, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri and APRM Panel Member in Charge of Zimbabwe, Dr Thelma Awori.


Launch of Zimbabwe Chapter shows confidence in African governance Systems: APRM
The launch of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Zimbabwe Chapter reflects the country’s confidence in African governance institutions and structures, Dr Thelma Awori, APRM Panel Member in charge of Zimbabwe, has said.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Dr Awori commended President Mnangagwa and Zimbabwe for the country’s active participation in the continental governance peer review mechanism.

“I want to show my appreciation to President Mnangagwa and Zimbabwe for their dedicated active participation in APRM,” she said.
“It shows confidence in African governance institutions and structures.”
Dr Awori also congratulated Zimbabwe for the progress she witnessed since her last assignment in the country as the United Nations Head of Mission in the 90s.
She described Zimbabwe’s progress within the APRM as exemplary, saying the country has moved swiftly to establish the required structures and achieve its targets.
“Zimbabwe’s progress within APRM is exemplary,” she said. “The country has set up structures and achieved its targets in record time.”
She said the launch of the Zimbabwe Chapter represents a significant milestone in the implementation of the APRM process.
“This launch marks the beginning of the most important phase where reviews and targets are prioritised to ensure that national programmes are fully implemented.”


Zimbabwe’s approach to lithium a benchmark for African countries
Acting Director General for African Minerals Development Centre, Ms Claudine Sigam, representing AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism Industry and Minerals Ms Francisca Tatchoup Belope, has praised Zimbabwe’s decision to ban the export of raw lithium.
Mrs Sigam said African minerals belong to African people, adding that President Mnangagwa’s “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” mantra speaks to African countries taking ownership of their minerals’ production processes.
“Your Excellency, you have set a good example for African countries,” she said.

“Your approach to lithium is an example to all of Africa. Value addition of lithium not only provides jobs but also increases the value of our minerals.”


President Museveni applauds Zimbabwe for progress under APRM
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended Zimbabwe for completing its targeted review on economic governance and management in record time, describing the achievement as clear evidence of the country’s commitment to good governance and institutional reform.
In a speech read on his behalf by Uganda’s Vice President, Major (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo, during the official launch of APRM Zimbabwe Chapter, President Museveni said the milestone reflects Zimbabwe’s dedication to strengthening economic governance and accountable institutions.

President Museveni, who currently chairs the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Forum of Heads of State and Government, congratulated Zimbabwe for the progress it has made since joining the APRM.
“Within a relatively short period, Zimbabwe successfully completed its Strategic Review on Economic Governance and Management, presented the report to the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government on 13 February 2026 and has now launched a nationally owned National Programme of Action,” he said.
President Museveni described Zimbabwe’s decision to undertake a targeted review of economic governance and management as both timely and strategic.
He said the review comes at a time when Africa is accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, making sound economic governance essential for attracting investment, enhancing competitiveness, strengthening regional value chains and achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Ugandan leader also noted that the review recognises Zimbabwe’s continued commitment to regional integration through SADC, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area while identifying practical opportunities to further strengthen economic governance and management.
President Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment, as Chair of the APRM Forum, to work with participating States to strengthen governance, deepen peer learning and promote African solutions to African challenges.


Zimbabwe is keen on peer review, says Minister Murwira
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira has said Zimbabwe is transparent and keen on being reviewed by its peers.
Speaking at the APRM Zimbabwe Chapter launch today, said while Zimbabwe has not been peer-reviewed for a long time, the coming in of the Second Republic showed that the country is not afraid of scrutiny.
“Your Excellency, you taught and showed us what good governance is,” he said.

“We were so committed to the review process, and we want it done as quickly as possible.
“That commitment is shown by the 11 out of 14 distinctions that we got in the areas that were reviewed.”


President Mnangagwa launches APRM Zim Chapter
President Mnangagwa has officially launched the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Zimbabwe Chapter, describing the milestone as a significant step in strengthening governance.
Addressing delegates at the launch in Harare today, the President said the establishment of the chapter marks an important landmark in Zimbabwe’s journey under the APRM.
APRM is a voluntary African Union mechanism that promotes self-assessment and peer learning among Member States.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s participation reaffirms its commitment to good governance, sustainable development and the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
“Today’s ceremony marks an important landmark in Zimbabwe’s journey under the African Peer Review Mechanism,” he said.

“This forum is a uniquely African home-grown initiative that embodies Africa’s commitment to mutual accountability, self-assessment, as well as continuous improvement in governance and development.
“Since Zimbabwe’s voluntary accession to the mechanism in February 2020, our continued engagement under the APRM process reinforces our position as a committed Member State. We are dedicated to the collective pursuit of good governance, sustainable development and the realisation of the aspirations of Agenda 2063.”
President Mnangagwa said the APRM complements Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, National Development Strategy 2 and Sustainable Development Goals, while remaining consistent with constitutional provisions promoting transparency, accountability and regional cooperation.
“I call upon all stakeholders, Government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, academia, and ordinary citizens to continue to actively participate and engage in the APRM processes,” he said.
“Let us never shy away from improving our systems, hearing the views of the people we serve and appropriately adjusting our respective organisations and entities to meet the expectations of our stakeholders.”
President Mnangagwa concluded the ceremony by declaring the African Peer Review Mechanism in Zimbabwe officially launched and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the ideals, principles and objectives of the continental governance initiative.