Windhoek: Namibia on Tuesday joined the rest of the continent in commemorating African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Day, reaffirming its commitment to democratic governance, transparency, and accountability. Observed in Windhoek under the theme 'Addressing Africa's Bottlenecks', the day provides an opportunity for countries to reflect on governance progress, share best practices, and discuss challenges affecting development.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the APRM was established by the African Union on 09 March 2003 as a voluntary governance self-assessment tool aimed at promoting political stability, sustainable development, sound economic management, and regional integration across Africa. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Namibia's APRM Focal Point and Chief Executive Officer, Lineekela Mboti, highlighted Namibia's consistent dedication to the mechanism's principles since joining in 2017.
Mboti emphasized the significance of the APRM, describing it as Africa's premier home-grown instrument for honest self-reflection, peer learning, and structured reform. He noted that Namibia has made progress in strengthening governance systems and contributing to Africa's development agenda. A key milestone is the finalization of Namibia's first progress report on the Targeted Review on Youth Unemployment, presented by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the 35th APR Forum on 13 February 2026.
The report marks a shift from assessment to accountability, showcasing Namibia's commitment to peer review and the implementation of the National Programme of Action. Mboti stated that the APRM National Governing Council will provide strategic policy guidance for the mechanism's implementation in Namibia. The council will oversee the establishment of a permanent APRM structure in the country, guide the implementation of programs derived from review reports, support the preparation of Namibia's second-generation country review report, and coordinate progress reports to the APR Forum.
As Namibia commemorates the 23rd anniversary of the APRM, Mboti remarked on the deliberate nature of good governance, emphasizing that it is a product of clarity, accountability, discipline, and continuous learning.