The Africa Governance Report of information to the public, Member States, the RECs, AU organs and institutions on the trends of governance in the continent. It makes recommendations on ways to boost governance in Africa. The AGR provides a foundation for regular and continuous tracking of governance, and highlights best practices that can be shared by Member States. 1.4 Methodology of the Africa Governance Report This Report uses existing information and data as a basis for measuring and assessing change in the selected aspects of governance. It presents facts, focusing on quantifiable issues and areas that allow for the measurement and assessment of changes. Considering that it is evidence-based and action-oriented, the AGR analyses AU shared values, and all AU common decisions, declarations and agreements to implement the vision, goals, and objectives of the AU. AU shared values and related decisions were examined to determine the status of implementation of the selected governance variables. The recommendations, which are intended to boost governance in Africa, derive from the challenges that hamper implementation of these shared values and decisions. The AGR was developed using complementary research methods, including: (i) examination, critical analysis, and synthesis of existing information and data from published governance, economic performance, human development, peace and security literature and other reports; (ii) consultations with key stakeholders in Member States, regional economic communities (RECs), African Union Organs and Institutions and other stakeholders (private sector; civil society organizations, prominent persons); and (iii) targeted surveys. 1.5 The Mandate and Purpose of the APRM as an AU Structure Established in 2003, the APRM is the African Union’s primary institution responsible for facilitating the voluntary assessment of governance in participating Member States, and for monitoring adherence to and conformity with the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).7 Following the AU Assembly decision to integrate the APRM into AU structures,8 its mandate was expanded in 2017. The AU Assembly adopted an initiative to revitalise and refocus the APRM as an innovative tool for sharing best practices. At the 28th Ordinary Session, the Assembly decided that the APRM should have the responsibility to oversee monitoring and evaluation in all key governance areas of the continent, including tracking implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).9 7 NEPAD Secretariat 6th Summit of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee, 9 March 2003, Abuja, Nigeria. African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM): Base Document (NEPAD/HSGIC/03-2003/APRM/mou/annex (ii); African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Thirty-Eighth Ordinary Session of the Organization of African Unity, 8 July 2002, Durban, South Africa (AHG/235 (XXXVIII), Annex II). 8 Decision Assembly/AU/Dec. 527(XXIII), 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on the Integration of the APRM into the African Union structures. 9 AU Assembly/AU/Draft/Dec. (XXVIII)Rev.1; 23rd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly/AU/Dec. 527(XXIII), Decision on the Integration of the APRM into the African Union Structures Doc. EX.CL/851(XXV); Assembly/AU/Dec. 631(XXVIII) Decision on the Revitalisation of the African Peer Review Mechanism. Page 23 of 96