Looking back on nearly a decade after the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)—a tool designed to promote good governance on the continent—was first conceived, this account explores how this complex process has evolved from theory to practice in a variety of contexts.

With case studies and transversal analysis, it examines the progression from the specialized perspectives of various African civil society actors, mainly analysts, activists, and journalists. Arguing that the APRM’s effectiveness depends on the suitability of its design for the task at hand, the situation in which it is used, and the skill of its user, these chapters tease out what can be learned about governance in Africa and demonstrates the extent to which the APRM has changed the way that governments and civil society groups engage.

While it is ill-advised to draw universal conclusions, this book nevertheless shows that the APRM has added value, sometimes in unexpected ways.