THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM [APRM]

presented by

Dr. Bernard KouassiExecutive Director APRM Secretariat

Banjul, GambiaJune 26, 2006

Introduction

The APRM is a self-monitoring mechanism voluntarily acceded to by Member States of the AU with the aim to:

Foster adoption of policies, standards and practices leading to:

Political stabilityHigh economic growthSustainable development

Over-arching Goal – accelerate progress towards sub-regional and continental economic integration through sharing of experiences and reinforcement of successful and best practices.

Open, inclusive, participatory and broad-based processTo date 25 countries have acceded to the APRM and a few others are contemplating to joint in the near future.

Structures of the APRM

APR Forum

APR Panel

APR Secretariat

Continental Level Country Level

National APRM CommissionNational APRM Focal Point

National APRM Secretariat

TRIs

Strategic Partner Institutions

Mandates

APR Forum Policy-making body of the APRM Examine the Country Review Reports and Conduct the peer

reviews

APR Panel Proposing a Work Plan to the APR Forum Interacting with countries to start APRM processes Leading Country Support and Review Missions Issuing recommendations to countries on the Country

Review Report Popularising the APRM nationally and continentally

Strategic Partner Institutions

AfDB, UNDP, UNECA

Have been very supportive

Provide technical, human and financial support

Participate in all missions

Share data and country information with the APR Panel/Secretariat

The APRM Process FOUR THEMATIC AREAS

Democracy and Political Governance [DPG] Economic Governance and Management [EGM] Corporate Governance [CG] Socio-Economic Development [SED]

5 STAGES Stage One: Self-Assessment Stage Two: Country Review Mission Stage Three: Report writing by Country Review Team [CRT] Stage Four: Submission of the CRT’s report to the APR Forum and

Conduct of Peer Review Stage Five: Final stage of the APR Process-involves making public

the country’s report and related actions.

Responsibilities of Countries

Sign Accession Document-MOU Sign the MOU on Technical Assessments and the Country

Review Visit Appoint National APRM Focal Point, National APRM

Commission and other structures Contribute to the funding of the APRM Sensitization and Information Dissemination Ensure participation of all stakeholders Conduct the national self-assessment exercise and the

Country Self-Assessment Report [CSAR] Develop and Implement a realistic National Programme of

Action [POA]

Funding of the APRM

Based on APRM Work Plan for 2005-2007 approved at Algiers Forum

Initially estimated at US$ 15 million, and will expand as more countries join and work extends beyond planned 3-year period

Countries contribute a minimum of US$ 100,000. Some have contributed more than the minimum

Countries participate in Project Oversight Committee Development Partners are also contributing APRM Trust Fund now operational

Country Support & Review Missions

Follow-up Missions Ascertain status of preparedness/progress in APRM

implementation Country Support Missions Led by a Member of the Panel

Signature of MOU on modalities for country review visit Interact with stakeholders and hold briefings with identified

institutions Finalise the roadmap and launch the self-assessment exercise

Country Review Missions Led by a Member of APR Panel Based on Independently developed background papers and the

country self-assessment report Issues Papers are prepared for : Consultation with widest possible cross-section of national

stakeholders Explores further matters in the Issues Paper

Builds national consensus on way forward

Progress 11 Country Support Missions

Ghana-May 2004 Rwanda-June 2004 Mauritius-July 2004 Kenya-July 2004 Uganda- February 2005 Nigeria-March 2005 Algeria-July 2005 South Africa-November 2005 Benin-November 2005 Tanzania- June 2006 Burkina Faso - June 2006

3 Country Review Missions Ghana [April 2005] Rwanda [April 2005] Kenya [Oct 2005]

Progress [cont’d]

This year likely to complete-Algeria and South Africa

New reviews to be launched in Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Mali etc.

Launch of reviews based on readiness of countries

African Countries in NEPADCommittees

HSGIC APR Forum

BotswanaLibyaTunisia

BeninBurkina FasoLesothoMalawiSierra LeoneSudanTanzaniaUgandaZambia

AlgeriaAngolaCameroonCongoEgyptEthiopiaGabonGhanaKenya

MaliMauritiusMozambiqueNigeriaRwandaSenegalSouth AfricaSao-Tome Principe ?

APRM Countries (Population)

Total Population of African Continent=885,977, 259 Total Population of APRM Countries= 652,476,125 Some populations of APRM Countries,

Nigeria (128 m) Egypt (77m) Ethiopia (73m) S. Africa (44m) Sudan (40m) Tanzania, Kenya, Algeria (30 millions)

Percentage (73.64%)

Examples from Countries GHANA

Focal Point-Minister of NEPAD and Regional Integration. NGC-7 members (civil society) appointed by President 4 Technical Research Institutions [TRIs] - One for each

thematic area Instruments-(Desk Research, Expert Panel, Household Survey) Extensive information dissemination. National Validation Exercise

RWANDA Focal Point-Minister for Finance and National Planning National Commission of about 50 Chaired by Minister of

Planning-membership from government, CSos, private sector. Questionnaires sent out, Volunteer thematic groups within the

NC

Examples from Countries [cont’d] KENYA

Focal Point-Ministry of National Planning Commission of 33 members –membership from Civil Society

Organizations (CSOs), Key Ministries 4 TRIs Instruments [Desk Research, Expert Panel, Household

Surveys, Focus Group Discussions] External Expert Review National Validation

Challenges faced by countries

Organizing national structures Sensitization, designation of Focal Point, managing

relationships Funding and Resource mobilization for the exercise Undertaking the self assessment exercise

Breaking down questionnaire etc Broad based participation, who to select and how to select; Drafting the POA

Not enough time spent, engagement of government Keeping to the timelines of the review exercise Designing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms

Continuity of National Commission

Challenges at Continental Level Dealing with Readiness of Countries:

Delays in putting the necessary structures in place;

Capacity of countries: Capacity for self assessment and elaboration of the

National POA

Lack of Understanding of the APRM Seen as audit of government only; conditionality

etc.;

Enhancing the Pool of Experts for Capacity Building;

END

APRM SECRETARIAT

Executive Director: Dr. Bernard Kouassi,

Physical address: APRM Secretariat Samrand Building, Samrand Avenue, Midrand 1685, South Africa

Postal address: APRM Secretariat P.O. Box 1234, Halfway House 1685, South Africa.

Tel: +27 (0) 11 313 38 56 Fax: +27 (0) 11 313 34 40 Email: Bernard_kouassi@yahoo.fr or bernardk@nepad.org Website : http://www.nepad.org/aprm

END

THANK YOU FOR

YOUR KIND ATTENTION