Online Reporter
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.”
