Strengthening Peer Learning in the African Peer Review Mechanism: The Case for Best Practices

© APRM

Identification of best practices is central to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), which is meant to foster the adoption of policies that lead to good governance, sustained development, economic growth and enhanced integration on the continent. Although still underdeveloped and poorly defined, best practices can contribute to strengthening and achieving the objectives of the APRM.

This policy briefing argues that best practices remain an underutilised output of the APRM, although they have the potential to stimulate and enhance robust engagement by all stakeholders. The best practices already identified in the 15 published country review reports (CRRs) provide a rich resource for peer learning nationally and across borders. This policy briefing makes recommendations for using best practices to drive peer learning, including developing a clear definitional framework, integrating their identification into country self-assessment research, outlining their uses, and developing cross-country mechanisms for communicating about them. Academics and researchers are encouraged to engage in rigorous debate on the concept and to contribute towards a better understanding and use of best practices within the APRM, thereby strengthening indigenous thinking about governance in Africa.

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).

31 Oct 2013