Centurion – 5 March 2026 – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat convened an introductory virtual meeting from its offices with the newly appointed leadership of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons, led by Chairperson Prof. Olive Mugenda of Kenya and Vice‑Chairperson Prof. Désiré Manirakiza of Burundi.
The engagement marked the first formal engagement between the APRM and members of the Panel following their recent appointment by the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The meeting provided an opportunity to introduce the Panel and its leadership, outline the APRM’s mandate, and highlight key priorities under the APRM Strategic Plan of 2025 – 2028.
Prof. Mugenda, an experienced leader in higher education, governance and public service, will serve as Chairperson of the Panel, supported by the Vice-Chairperson Prof. Manirakiza, an accomplished academic and public servant with extensive expertise in governance and institutional development. During the meeting, Prof. Mugenda reaffirmed the Panel’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s governance architecture by ensuring that governance reports submitted to the APR Forum remain rigorous, credible, and responsive to the continent’s evolving governance challenges.
Opening the meeting, H.E. Ambassador Marie‑Antoinette Rose‑Quatre, Chief Executive Officer of the APRM Continental Secretariat, congratulated the newly appointed Panel members and highlighted the importance of their role in advancing the Mechanism’s mandate and supporting the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
The Secretariat also welcomed the other esteemed members of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons, who will serve a four‑year term guiding the Mechanism’s country review processes across APRM Participating States. The Panel comprises distinguished leaders and experts from Africa, including Prof. Olive Mugenda of Kenya (Chairperson), Prof. Désiré Manirakiza of Burundi (Vice‑Chairperson), Prof. Gilbert Maoundonodji (Chad), Dr. Moeketsi Majoro (Lesotho), Amb. Sibusiso Ndebele (South Africa), Dr. Thelma Awori (Liberia), Dr. Oluwakemi Adeola Obauelu (Nigeria), Amb. Agnes Kalibala Kadama (Uganda), Mr. Ben Abdallah Youcef (Algeria), and Amb. Soha Samir Nashid Gendi (Egypt).
The engagement concluded with a comprehensive overview by the Secretariat of the APRM’s governance structures and the critical role of the Panel of Eminent Persons in leading Africa’s voluntary peer review process. The meeting laid an important foundation for the Panel’s work as it begins its four-year tenure, contributing to the strengthening of governance across the continent.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact the APRM Continental Secretariat at info@aprm-au.org.
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