Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected tomorrow to officially launch the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Zimbabwe, marking a major milestone in the country’s commitment to strengthening democratic governance, accountability and sustainable socio-economic development under the African union (AU) framework.
The launch, to be held in Harare, follows Zimbabwe’s successful completion of its first country peer review and the adoption of its National Programme of Action (NPoA), a blueprint that outlines reforms and interventions aimed at addressing governance gaps identified during the review process.
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is the current Chairperson of the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government, is expected to be represented at the event by Vice President Major (Rtd) Jessica Rose Epel Alupo.
Zimbabwe successfully concluded the validation and drafting of its National Programme of Action after undergoing its peer review at the 35th Ordinary Session of the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government, held on the sidelines of the 39th African union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February this year.
The launch marks the transition from the review phase to the implementation of the National Programme of Action, with Government expected to cascade the governance framework across provinces and institutions to ensure broad-based participation in implementing the agreed reforms.
Established by the African union in 2003 under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the APRM is a voluntary, African-owned governance assessment tool through which member states evaluate one another’s performance, identify governance strengths and shortcomings and share best practices aimed at promoting political stability, economic growth and regional integration.
The mechanism assesses participating countries across 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.
The APRM Forum, comprising participating Heads of State and Government, is the mechanism’s highest decision-making body and meets on the margins of AU summits to consider country review reports and monitor implementation of agreed reforms.
In his post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Cabinet had approved the memorandum on Zimbabwe’s APRM National Programme of Action, paving the way for tomorrow’s official launch.
“Preparations are progressing well for the inaugural official launch of the APRM in Zimbabwe by His Excellency, Dr ED Mnangagwa on 16 July, 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,” he said.
Dr Soda said during the 35th Ordinary Session of the APRM Forum in Addis Ababa, President Mnangagwa presented Zimbabwe’s review report on Economic Governance and Management, which highlighted several home-grown development initiatives identified as best practices that could be replicated by other African countries.
These include the country’s transformative leadership model, the performance contracting system for senior public officials, the Land Reform Programme, Village Business Units under the Rural Development 8.0 model, innovation driven by Heritage-Based Education 5.0 and the “Back-to-Basics” monetary policy approach aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability.
