Justicia Shipena
Ambassador Wilfried Emvula will continue as chairperson of the National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism following the appointment of a new council in Namibia.
The third National Governing Council was inaugurated at State House on Monday by Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The council will serve a four-year term from February 2026 to January 2030.
The council includes ambassador Elia Kaiyamo, Dr Betty Schroder, Professor Esau Kaakunga, Dr Roseta Nawases, Naita Hishoono, Rosemary Nalisa, Uhuru Dempers, Hakusembe Hakusembe and Salomo Hei.
It will oversee governance processes, monitor standards and coordinate national programmes under the APRM.
It will also track progress on review reports and guide policy reforms.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s participation in the APRM shows its commitment to transparency and accountability.
“Namibia’s participation in the APRM reflects its commitment to transparency and continuous self-assessment in line with African Union standards,” she said.
Namibia joined the APRM in January 2017.
The country has completed two review reports, including one on youth unemployment and a broader country review.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the new council will focus on governance, economic management, development and e-governance.
She said progress has been made on youth unemployment through programmes such as the Sovereign Wealth Fund, the National Youth Development Fund, subsidised education and apprenticeship initiatives.
“The government remains committed to supporting your work towards the improvement of good governance and development in Namibia,” she said.
Emvula said the new term will build on work done in the previous cycle.
“As we commence this new term, we do so with clarity of purpose, renewed commitment, and a firm resolve to build on the progress that has been made so far,” he said.
He said the council will oversee APRM processes, ensure reports are completed on time and monitor programmes, including those on youth unemployment.
The council will also track continental frameworks such as Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063.
It is expected to present a progress report on Namibia’s first country review at the African Peer Review Forum in February 2027. It will also support a second country review and expand APRM work to regional and local levels.
“This trust carries with it a profound responsibility to uphold the principles of good corporate governance,” Emvula said.
Focal point and chief executive officer of the APRM national secretariat ambassador Lineekela Mboti, said the APRM helps countries assess and improve governance.
“At the last forum held in February this year, Your Excellency presented the first progress report on the implementation of the targeted review report on youth unemployment in Namibia,” Mboti said.
Mboti said Namibia is now focused on implementing recommendations from its reviews.
