African Peer Review Mechanism commends Abidjan’s political and economic progress
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Africa’s premier governance assessment tool established by the African Union, has applauded Côte d’Ivoire for its significant strides in political stability, economic transformation, and institutional reforms.
“We recognize the remarkable efforts Côte d’Ivoire has made to solidify political stability, drive economic change, and implement key institutional reforms. These achievements lay a robust foundation for the upcoming second-generation country review,” stated Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, Director-General of the APRM Continental Secretariat, during a working visit to Abidjan’s Cocody district on July 21, 2026.
The high-level engagement follows a tour of the National APRM Commission’s offices, where discussions centered on finalizing preparations for Côte d’Ivoire’s second-generation evaluation—a process designed not merely as an assessment but as a strategic opportunity to reflect on progress since the first review, pinpoint emerging governance challenges, and highlight best practices that could inspire other African nations.
APRM’s role in fostering inclusive governance and development
“Our mission goes beyond evaluation. We aim to support countries in strengthening democratic governance, economic policies, corporate governance, and socio-economic progress,” Rose-Quatre emphasized. The APRM operates on principles of voluntary participation, peer learning, transparency, accountability, and mutual evaluation—making it a unique platform for shared growth and accountability across the continent.
During her stay, the Director-General worked with Ivorian officials to finalize the evaluation roadmap, identify pending preparatory steps, and agree on concrete measures to ensure a smooth and impactful assessment. “We remain fully committed to providing Côte d’Ivoire with technical and institutional support throughout this journey. This partnership is rooted in trust, dialogue, and our shared commitment to advancing governance across Africa,” she added.
National initiatives align with regional governance goals
PR David Moussa Soro, President of the National APRM Commission, reinforced the country’s dedication to placing governance at the heart of development. “In Côte d’Ivoire, governance and development walk hand in hand,” he said, highlighting two national initiatives: the Summer University for Good Governance and a scientific journal on African integration and governance.
The Summer University aims to instill a culture of good governance among the public, while the academic journal provides a platform for scholarly research on governance, in line with CAMES standards. These efforts reflect the National APRM Commission’s commitment to supporting the Continental Secretariat and fostering a culture of transparency and excellence nationwide.
The following day, Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre was set to meet with the Ivorian Senate and engage with Nialé Kaba, the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, further underscoring the depth of cooperation between Côte d’Ivoire and the APRM.
Established in 2003, the APRM is a voluntary agreement among African states to assess and enhance governance at the highest levels, with the goal of promoting political stability, economic integration, sustainable growth, and long-term development across the continent.
