CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Concept of Governance The concept of governance is traditionally linked to ruling and control, specifically the manner of exercise of power. Governance refers to the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority in the management of a country’s affairs at all levels. “Good governance” has the following major characteristics: legitimacy, where the government has the consent of the governed, accountability that ensures transparency and answerability for actions, respect for law and protection of human rights, and competence, which consists of effective policy making, policy implementation and service delivery.1 These are the basic definitions used throughout this report. 1.2 Background and Context of the Africa Governance Report The Africa Governance Report (AGR) is a collaborative project with the African Governance Architecture (AGA) Platform. Its development is led by the African Peer Review (APRM) continental secretariat. It assesses implementation by Member States of the African Union shared values of the five areas of governance: transformational leadership, constitutionalism and the rule of law, interrelationships of peace, security, and governance, the nexus between development and governance, and the role of regional economic communities (RECs) in African governance. The AGR provides a baseline for regular and continuous tracking and analysis of governance trends. The AGA Platform was inspired by the Constitutive Act of the African Union and is composed of AU Organs, Institutions, and regional economic communities.2 The platform facilitates stakeholder dialogue for the harmonization and coordination of instruments and initiatives to promote good governance, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. The platform’s focus is on implementation of the AU Shared Values, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).3 The AGA Platform retreat of March 2018 identified a number of collaborative programmes, including development of a report provisionally entitled Assessing the State of Governance in Africa. The development of the Africa Governance Report was guided by the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the AU Agenda 2063. The Act is the basis of the organization’s establishment, objectives, and principles. It also defines the major implementing organs and institutions. The Agenda is the AU’s strategic framework for the socio-economic development and transformation of the continent. By adopting this framework AU Member States have agreed and committed to act collectively to achieve the AU Vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena”.4 The AGR is also guided by the Declaration 1 United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration, Fifth session, New York, 27-31 March 2006 (E/C.16/2006/4) Agenda item. 5 Compendium of basic terminology in governance and public administration. Definition of basic concepts and terminologies in governance and public administration. 2 AU Assembly decision AU/Dec.1 (XVI). 3 http://www.aga-platform.org. 4 African Union Commission (AUC), 2015. Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. The AU Agenda 2063 has seven aspirations: A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; an integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance; an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law; a peaceful and secure Africa; an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics; an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children; Africa as a strong, united and influential global player and partner. Page 21 of 96