Malabo, 14 June 2019 – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) joined the African Development Bank at the 2019 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank Group (African Development Bank and African Development Fund) held in Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea from 11 to 14 June 2019 in the Sipopo Conference Centre. The theme of the event was centered around ‘Regional Integration for Africa’s Economic Prosperity’.

As a strategic partner, the APRM was invited to join a panel discussion on “Regional Integration: Harnessing the potential of Equatorial Guinea” consisting of the Minister of Finance of the Republic Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Augusto Mba Abogo; Minister of Finance of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs. Niale Kaba and  Honourable Brigitte S. Mabandla, member of APR Panel of Eminent person.

The panel discussion was an opportunity for Hon. Brigitte S. Mabandla to present the APRM as an enabler for development in member states as it identifies challenges such as marginalisations and inequalities, highligthed in her presentation, while providing the required mechanism to address them. Hon. Mabandla further highlighted APRM as a platform for experience sharing and peer support that allow member states to learn from peers and improve their governance structures to ultimately achieve sustainable development.

On the 14^th June, the delegation of the APRM led by Hon. Mabandla, paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Simeon Oyono Esono Angue, Minister of Foreign Affaires accompanied by Ms Arlette Yemek and Ms. Diana Demba-Mutondo from the APRM Continental Secretariat.

Speaking on behalf of His Excellency, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Ambassador Angue shared that the Republic of Equatorial Guinea is in the process of finalising the formation of its National Governing Council with the aim of completing its review process in 2020 with the support of the APRM. He further assured the commitment of the President of the Republic Equatorial Guinea to the African Union and the APRM saying that the mechanism is an important platform for the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to share with the continent its potential as well as its experiences and good practices.