14 February 2025 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Joint 3rd Extraordinary and 34th Ordinary Session of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government (APRM Summit) convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the leadership of H.E. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and Chairperson of the APR Forum. The landmark Summit, convened in response to a directive from the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, brought together African leaders to advance governance reforms and sustainable development across the continent.
The Summit was graced by the presence of distinguished African Heads of State and Government, including H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia; H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal; H.E. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of Lesotho; H.E. Tiemoko Meyliet Kone, Vice President of Côte d’Ivoire; and H.E. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Senior government officials, APRM Focal Points, and representatives from the African Union Commission also participated in the high-level deliberations.
The Summit featured the presentation of Zambia’s Second-Generation Country Review Report and Senegal’s Targeted Review Report on mineral resource governance. Progress reports on the implementation of APRM National Programmes of Action (NPOA) by Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire were also reviewed.
- Zambia: Hon. Lydia Wanyoto-Mutende presented Zambia’s comprehensive review, showcasing the country’s dedication to governance reforms. President Hakainde Hichilema reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to implementing the review’s recommendations, particularly in areas such as judicial independence, economic diversification, and corporate governance.
- Senegal: Dr. Ousmane Diallo, Lead APR Panel Member for Senegal, highlighted the country’s strategic efforts to leverage natural resources for inclusive development. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye pledged to advance reforms in Senegal’s mining sector, with a focus on value addition and industrialisation.
- Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire: President William Ruto of Kenya outlined the country’s achievements in democracy, economic governance, and regional integration, while Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Kone of Côte d’Ivoire emphasized progress in governance, gender equality, and infrastructure development. Both nations were commended for their commitment to the APRM process and urged to continue strengthening their governance frameworks.
The APRM Continental Secretariat, led by CEO Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, presented the 2025 Africa Governance Report, which focused on natural resource governance. The report was endorsed by the Summit, with a call for Member States and stakeholders to integrate its recommendations into national policies to ensure sustainable resource management and equitable development.
The Summit also underscored the importance of increased financial support for the APRM, the operationalisation of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), and the adoption of e-Governance as a new thematic area for APRM reviews. Key decisions included the approval of the APRM’s third Strategic Plan (2025-2028), which prioritises transformation, empowerment, and sustainability across the continent.
H.E. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Chairperson of the APR Forum, urged all African Union Member States to accede to the APRM and encouraged those yet to complete their reviews to actively engage in the process. The Summit also acknowledged the exemplary contributions of retiring APRM Panel Members, including Ambassador Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, Dr. Ousmane Diallo, and Dr. Honore Mobonda.
The Summit concluded with a commitment to present its outcomes at the upcoming 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly for further consideration and adoption. The next session of the APR Forum is scheduled for February 2026, on the margins with the AU Assembly.
This historic gathering reaffirmed the APRM’s central role in fostering good governance, accountability, and sustainable development across Africa. By aligning national action plans with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, Member States are poised to accelerate progress toward a prosperous and integrated continent.
