Midrand – 11 November 2025 – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat convened youth representatives, national structures, key stakeholders, and members of the APRM Communicators Network from across Africa for the official launch of the APRM Communicators’ Network on the margins of the 5th APRM Youth Symposium held at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, Republic of South Africa, from 10 to 11 November 2025. The Network aims to strengthen coordination, enhance visibility, and advance the African governance agenda through effective communication. The launch marked a remarkable achievement in the Mechanism’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance processes across the continent.
The session was facilitated by Mr. Constantin Lebogo from the APRM Continental Secretariat, who emphasised the importance of communication as tool for information dissemination and a strategic instrument for promoting good governance and strengthening trust between institutions and citizens. He encouraged communicators to ensure that the APRM’s work resonates at the grassroots level and that its achievements are widely understood by African citizens.
Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat, delivered the keynote address, describing the launch as a milestone in the APRM’s institutional development. She commended communicators across the continent and highlighted the Network as a platform to strengthen cooperation and ensure that African voices shape the continent’s governance narrative, rather than external perspectives.
The CEO noted that the launch aligns with the APRM Strategic Plan 2025–2028, particularly its Communications, Advocacy, and Outreach pillar, and connects to AU Agenda 2063, especially Aspirations 3 and 5 on good governance, democracy, and human rights.
She urged communicators to champion truth and credibility, embrace innovation in the digital era, and help citizens see themselves in the governance process. Following her address, Mr. Emmanuel Merissa Anna presented the Network’s framework, detailing its objectives to share best practices, maintain consistent messaging, and strengthen partnerships between national structures and the Continental Secretariat.
A panel discussion moderated by Mr. Emmanuel Bensah brought together communication experts from Gabon, Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, and Seychelles. The discussion explored the role of communication in advancing good governance in the digital era and examined how media and citizen engagement can reinforce transparency and accountability.
The panellists shared experiences and lessons learned, highlighting efforts to simplify governance concepts through accessible communication channels such as community radio. Emphasis was placed on clarity, interaction, and trust in institutional communication. The discussion also covered the transformation of public communication into a participatory process, encouraging the use of social media to engage citizens. Innovative frameworks for communication were presented, stressing the need for strategic approaches that are both creative and human-centered. The importance of communicating governance in ways that reflect local languages and cultures was also underscored.
Participants raised issues regarding inclusivity, access, and sustainability of communication efforts, highlighting the digital divide and language barriers. Proposals included expanding offline communication, collaborating with local media, and leveraging youth networks to promote awareness. In response, Ambassador Rose-Quatre reaffirmed the APRM’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, enhancing communication capacities, and ensuring that governance messages reach all citizens, including those in rural areas.
The launch of the APRM Communicators’ Network represents an important step in consolidating communication efforts within the Mechanism and advancing a unified African narrative on governance and development. Through this platform, the APRM seeks to enhance coordination, amplify impact, and ensure that Africa’s progress continues to be communicated by Africans, for Africans, and in the spirit of transparency and collective ownership.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact: APRM Continental Secretariat at info@aprm-au.org.
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