Ten Reasons to Keep Faith with Africa’s Peer Review Process

Image: Flickr, PROAndrew Smith
Image: Flickr, PROAndrew Smith

Almost a decade after Africa’s major governance monitoring mechanism was mooted, we must ask: What value has the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) added? Has it been worth the time and money? What has it changed?

Like any tool, much depends on the way it is used. Thus far, the APRM has raised awareness of governance issues, energised a continent and taken small but significant steps to remedy big problems. With committed leadership, greater transparency and better documentation of success stories, the mechanism promises to become even more significant in future. Here are ten reasons for optimism.

SAIIA sincerely thanks those who acted as peer reviewers for these papers.

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

13 May 2010