Using Representative Opinion Surveys in the African Peer Review Mechanism Process

Opinion surveys capture public perceptions. What are the key considerations when designing and implementing them in the APRM? All participating countries in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process have had to struggle with the long, complex and sometimes confusing and intimidating Self-Assessment Questionnaire covering key issues in four thematic areas: democracy and political governance, economic governance, corporate governance, and socio-economic development. Answering these questionnaires risks becoming a highly technical exercise, accessible only to experts and elites. But the APRM also requires that the voices and views of ordinary citizens be heard and incorporated. One practice that is becoming standard is conducting nationally representative opinion surveys among the population.