🔴 LIVE TODAY | AfCRA OFFICIAL LAUNCH Join us today at 5:00 PM Mauritius time for the historic launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA). 🌍🇲🇺 ▶️ Watch LIVE on YouTube⁠: Kindly see the youtube link youtube.com/live/P1yIzj9NaIY #AfCRA

Dr McBride @MNkhalamba, Director of Governance and Specialised Reporting at the APRM Continental Secretariat, commended Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening governance through regular, evidence-based assessments. Speaking at the launch of the Rwanda Governance Scorecard (@RwandaGov), he highlighted its role in informing policymaking, identifying areas for improvement and promoting the sharing of governance best practices across Africa. He further recognised Rwanda’s contribution to developing common governance standards and frameworks within the @_AfricanUnion. #APRM #Rwanda #GoodGovernance

Day 2 of the APRM’s Country Institutional Consultation in Rwanda for the African Governance Report (AGR) 2027 continues with focus group discussions, bringing together diverse perspectives on youth participation, leadership and governance. The discussions focus on opportunities, challenges and institutional approaches to strengthening young people’s participation in decision-making and leadership across Africa. 🇷🇼 #AGR2027 #APRM #YouthInGovernance #Rwanda

The APRM Targeted Review Mission on Youth Issues in Kenya led by Dr. Thelma Awori, Lead Panel Member for Kenya, concluded earlier today, in Nairobi, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on technical assessments at the State Department for Economic Planning. Representing Hon. John Mbadi Ng’ongo, Cabinet Secretary and APRM Focal Point, Principal Secretary Dr Bonface B. Makokha affixed his signature to the document alongside Dr Thelma Awori’s.

As Africa commemorates 20 years since the adoption of the African Youth Charter in 2006, the AGR 2027 seeks to assess the extent to which continental and national commitments are translating into meaningful opportunities, representation and influence for young people. The message from Kampala is clear: Youth participation must be measured not merely by presence, but by influence, opportunity and outcomes.

Turning Youth Development Policies into Practical Opportunities “Government policy must therefore be translated into practical opportunities.” This was the central message delivered by Hon. Mercy Faith Lakisa, Uganda’s Minister of State responsible for Youth and Children Affairs, during the APRM Country Institutional Consultations in Kampala. The Minister emphasised the need to strengthen the link between education, labour-market demands, technical and vocational training, access to finance and sustainable youth entrepreneurship. She noted that access to finance alone is not sufficient to build successful youth enterprises. Young entrepreneurs also need mentorship, business development support, access to markets and an enabling regulatory environment. These priorities align with Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan, which focuses on structural transformation, job creation and inclusive economic growth. Through the Africa Governance Report (AGR) 2027, the APRM is examining how African governments can strengthen institutions and turn youth development commitments into tangible economic opportunities. #APRM #AGR2027 #YouthInGovernance #Uganda #Agenda2063

Uganda is among six African Union Member States selected to undertake country case studies for the Africa Governance Report (AGR) 2027, under the theme “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity.” Speaking during the APRM Country Institutional Consultations in Kampala, Hon. Mercy Faith Lakisa, Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Youth and Children Affairs), welcomed Uganda’s participation, noting that the exercise provides an opportunity to assess how national policies and institutions translate into meaningful opportunities for young people. Uganda’s case study focuses on Youth Leadership in Entrepreneurship, Industry, and the Public Sector, examining the role of institutions, policies and development programmes in advancing youth participation in governance and economic transformation. The consultations brought together representatives of the APRM National Governing Council, government institutions, the National Youth Council, youth-led organisations, the private sector, civil society, academia and development partners. The APRM delegation comprised Mr Dalma Jama, Ms Diana Demba Mutondo, Ms Rutendo Nazare and Mr Lennon Monyae. The findings will inform the AGR 2027, scheduled for consideration by the African Union Assembly in 2027. #APRM #AGR2027 #YouthInGovernance #Uganda #Agenda2063

African Union Advances De-Risking Africa Agenda to Unlock Capital for Development On the margins of the@AfCRA_Official launch in Mauritius, H.E. @ymahmoudali , Chairperson of the @_AfricanUnion , chaired a high-level roundtable on the AU’s De-Risking Africa Agenda. The meeting brought together the APRM, @_AfricanUnion , @ECA_OFFICIAL, @UNOSAA1 @afreximbank @AfDB_Group and @AAMFI_Sec to advance a coordinated approach to addressing Africa’s risk premium and improving access to development finance. The discussions secured high-level support for the initiative and identified priority areas for collaboration, including governance, debt management, data quality and institutional capacity. Read more: aprm.au.int/en/news/press-re… #APRM #DeRiskingAfrica #AfCRA #Agenda2063

What is the African Governance Report (AGR) 2027 all about? Under the theme “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity,” the fifth edition of the AGR will take a closer look at how young people are included in governance and decision-making across African Union Member States. The report aims to assess the implementation of youth policies, identify institutional, financial and political barriers holding young people back, and highlight youth-led innovations and contributions to governance. The goal is to provide practical recommendations that strengthen youth participation and help Africa harness the potential of its young population in line with Agenda 2063. Through Country Institutional Consultations, including the ongoing engagements in Rwanda, the APRM is gathering experiences and insights from national stakeholders to inform the report. #APRM #AGR2027 #YouthInGovernance #Agenda2063

Ms Clementine Nyinawumuntu gave an overview of Rwanda’s engagement with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) during the African Governance Report (AGR) 2027 Country Institutional Consultations in Kigali. Her presentation highlighted the role of national governance processes in strengthening institutional accountability, promoting peer learning and advancing governance reforms, providing important context for Rwanda’s contribution to the AGR 2027. #AGR2027 #APRM #Rwanda

At the Africa Governance Report (AGR) 2027 Country Institutional Consultations in Kigali, Rwanda, Ms @Nonku_Masoek presented the AGR's methodological tools and approaches, highlighting the analytical framework, stakeholder engagement processes and evidence-based assessment methods underpinning the report. The presentation underscored the importance of inclusive consultations, institutional perspectives and country-specific evidence in shaping Africa's governance analysis and policy recommendations. #AGR2027 #Rwanda

Opening the APRM Country Institutional Consultation for the African Governance Report (AGR) 2027 in Rwanda, Dr Félicien Usengumukiza, Deputy CEO of the Rwanda @GovernanceRw Board, highlighted the opportunities and governance challenges that come with Africa’s growing youth population. He stressed the need to move beyond seeing young people as the promise of tomorrow, but to empower them to become job creators, drivers of economic growth and leaders in governance institutions. Drawing from Rwanda’s experience, he emphasised the importance of putting in place strong policies, legal frameworks and institutions that support youth empowerment and create real opportunities for young people to actively contribute to governance and economic development. #APRM #AGR2027 #YouthInGovernance #Rwanda

The APRM’s Country Institutional Consultation in Rwanda for the African Governance Report (AGR) 2027 opened with an overview of the report’s objectives and the APRM’s mandate. Dr @MNkhalamba, Director of the Governance and Specialised Reporting Directorate, highlighted Rwanda’s governance and economic transformation and the importance of empowering young people to realise Africa’s demographic dividend.

After returning to Nairobi, the targeted review on youth issues in Kenya met with Ms. Gloria Wawira, CEO of the National Youth Council (NYC), a state agency established by an act of parliament. Ms. Wawira explained to the review mission that her organization has supported the conduct of smooth elections by delivering voter civic education and building an electronic platform to allow for remote voter registration. In terms of opportunities, the NYC collaborates with the private sector -banks and big tech firms such as Google- as well as inter-governmental organizations such as the UNDP to provide youth with AI skills and apprenticeships in companies. According to Ms. Wawira, rebuilding the compact with youth will require tackling three urgent issues: unemployment, the cost of living crisis which is a global phenomenon and the political disconnect with Members of Parliament. As regards the first two issues, she cited the Kazi Majuu program which affords Kenyans the opportunity to work abroad, efforts to expand the public service internship program, the bill proposing the reduction of VAT from 16 to 8% which was signed into law recently and the disbursement of hustler funds worth billions of Kenyan shillings.

The targeted review mission on youth issues in Kenya carried out further consultations in Nakuru and Murang’a counties. It met with the County Commissioners in these counties who pointed out training opportunities as well as dedicated meetings with the youth. Also, the success of the Nyota, Kazi Majuu -labor placement in foreign countries- and public service internship programs were noted. While in Murang’a country, the mission was fortunate to pay a courtesy call on H.E Dr. Irungu Kang’ata who shed light on the various initiatives he is championing on behalf of the 1.1 million inhabitants in his county including but not limited to bursaries, generous medical cover for treatment abroad and school feeding. In focus group discussions with the youth, a number of challenges were highlighted such as nepotism, inadequate access to the Internet, limited mental health financing and synthetic drug use. The importance of civic education, inclusivity and the offer of alternatives to harmful activities were underscored to ensure the welfare and development of the youth. Recommendations made by these stakeholders will feature in the final targeted review report which will be tabled at the 36th summit of the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government in January 2027.

Ahead of the Country Institutional Consultation Workshop for the African Governance Report (AGR) 2027 in Rwanda, the APRM team met with the Rwanda Governance Board (@GovernanceRw ) as part of ongoing consultations with key national stakeholders. Under the theme “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity,” the #AGR27 aims to critically assess the state of youth mainstreaming in governance across @_AfricanUnion Member States, identifying progress, existing gaps and opportunities to strengthen meaningful youth participation in governance and decision-making processes. #APRM #AGR2027 #YouthInGovernance

SAVE THE DATE | APRM Joint Structures Retreat The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) will convene its Joint Structures Retreat from 3–4 December 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Under the theme “A Stronger APRM for Greater Impact in Addressing Africa’s Governance Bottlenecks,” the retreat will provide an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, enhance coordination and advance the APRM’s governance mandate across the continent. More details to follow.

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in collaboration with the @AGA_Platform of the @_AfricanUnion , is developing the fifth edition of the Africa Governance Report (AGR27), under the theme “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity.” With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, young people are central to the continent’s governance transformation and sustainable development. AGR27 will examine how Africa can harness its demographic dividend by strengthening youth participation, leadership, human capital development and technological innovation. The Report will focus on three key areas: Youth and Human Capital Development – Strengthening skills, capabilities and opportunities for young Africans. Youth Leadership in the Public and Private Sectors – Promoting meaningful youth participation, representation and leadership in governance and decision-making. Youth in Technological Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and E-Governance – Advancing inclusive digital transformation and youth-driven innovation. The development of AGR27 also marks the 20th anniversary of the African Youth Charter, reinforcing the African Union’s commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive governance. Through evidence-based analysis and policy recommendations, AGR27 aims to contribute to unlocking the potential of Africa’s young population as a driving force for good governance, innovation and shared prosperity. #AGR27 #YouthInGovernance #APRM #Agenda2063 #AfricanUnion

The Interim Chief Executive Officer of the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) paid a courtesy visit to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) offices following the historic launch of AfCRA in Mauritius on 7 October 2026. The engagement focused on the importance of securing sustainable funding for AfCRA while safeguarding the Agency’s independence, credibility and transparency in its operations. During the visit, the AfCRA CEO presented the APRM with a commemorative memento in appreciation of the leadership, dedication and hard work of the APRM team that contributed to the successful launch of the Agency.