Strengthening Africa’s Governance Through the APRM: Reinforcing National Secretariats

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Midrand, South Africa – 21 January 2025

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is strengthening its position as a leading force for good governance on the continent. At the 9th Ordinary Session of the National Secretariats Coordinating Committee (NSCC), held at the APRM Headquarters in Midrand, South Africa, Heads of APRM National Secretariats reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the APRM’s vital mission. 

H.E. Ambassador Marie Antoinette Rose-Quatre, CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat, emphasised the importance of empowering national structures through legislation to ensure their sustainability and continued success. She called for strengthening APRM’s national frameworks to create a long-lasting impact across Africa: "The APRM is committed to driving real transformation across the continent, fostering democracy, the rule of law, and human rights," Ambassador Rose-Quatre said. "Together, we are building an Africa where good governance is not just a vision, but a reality." 

During the session, the Draft Third APRM Strategic Plan for 2025-2028 was presented. The plan, which focuses on enhancing APRM’s mandate, strengthening institutional capacity and fostering sustainable partnerships, reflects a bold and forward-thinking approach to governance. It also introduces the Balanced Scorecard approach to track and maximise the impact of APRM’s initiatives. 

A key moment of the meeting was Algeria’s generous voluntary contribution of US$ 1.1 million to the APRM, further reinforcing the collective support for the Mechanism’s objectives. Ambassador Rose-Quatre encouraged other Member States to follow this example, ensuring APRM’s continued success. Additionally, Mr. Ammar Hadjar, a representative of Algeria, played a significant role in contributing to the discussions, emphasising Algeria’s continued support for the APRM’s mission and strategic direction. 

With a clear focus on delivering tangible, positive results, Ambassador Rose-Quatre declared: "The time for action is now. Together, we will implement solutions that benefit all Africans and make a measurable difference." 

Mr. Mohamed Sheriff, Chair of the NSCC and Executive Secretary of the APRM Sierra Leone National Secretariat, also reiterated the commitment to collective action, emphasising the importance of Member States' leadership in advancing governance reforms. With the strategic roadmap set and strong partnerships in place, the APRM is well-positioned to continue its transformative work, ensuring a united, prosperous, and democratic Africa for future generations.