Midrand, South Africa – 20 January 2025 - The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Focal Points Steering Committee convened for its 9th ordinary session, bringing together key stakeholders from across the continent to advance discussions on promoting good governance, democracy, and sustainable development throughout Africa. This gathering served as a platform to shape the future direction of the APRM and address Africa’s most pressing challenges.
In his opening remarks, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, South Africa’s Minister of Public Service and Administration, underscored the critical role of the APRM in tackling poverty, inequality, and governance issues. He emphasized the importance of collective action and regional collaboration to ensure the APRM’s continued impact, ultimately fostering a more prosperous future for all African citizens.
Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat, provided an update on the Secretariat’s ongoing efforts to enhance its internal operations and improve efficiency. She highlighted the need for continued support from Member States to sustain the APRM’s initiatives, ensuring long-term success in achieving positive change across Africa.
A central focus of the meeting was the presentation of the APRM’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, which outlines key priorities for the next phase of the Mechanism’s work. These priorities include institutional strengthening; Enhancing the impact of the APRM’s mandate; Resource mobilization, partnerships, and financing; Expanding communications, advocacy, and outreach efforts; and Promoting e-governance as a tool to enhance service delivery and effective governance across Member States.
Ambassador Selma Bakhta Mansouri, Chairperson of the APRM Focal Points Committee, expressed her appreciation for the delegates’ active participation. She emphasized the need to transform strategic discussions into actionable steps, reinforcing the importance of tangible progress in achieving the APRM’s goals. The meeting provided a platform for fruitful exchanges and brought greater clarity to the organization’s future direction.
Participants reflected on how the APRM can continue to foster significant progress across Africa, ensuring that governance reforms are impactful, sustainable, and aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The meeting reinforced the APRM’s essential role in advancing governance, transparency, and sustainable development across the continent.
In conclusion, the 9th Focal Points Steering Committee Meeting marked a significant milestone in shaping the APRM’s approach to tackling Africa’s governance challenges. With productive discussions and clear commitments to the next steps, the meeting reinforced the collective commitment to continued collaboration. The APRM remains at the forefront of driving governance reforms, transparency, and development, working toward a united and prosperous Africa.
