AfDB holds, on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, in Tunis, a seminar on the theme: "Measuring Governance in Africa". The event is part of a series of seminars organized by AfDB on good governance on the continent, featuring guest speakers from reputable organizations and leading personalities as well as making significant contributions to the continent's governance agenda and elsewhere. AfDB's mandate is to strengthen the Bank's capacity to support efforts by regional member countries to build effective, capable and accountable states through strengthened economic and financial management. This includes enhancing leadership, building effective institutions and strengthening capacity in various contexts, including fragile states. A key part of this work also entails assessing progress on necessary economic and financial governance reforms by the countries. Measuring progress in governance reforms is central to demonstrating results and it underpins efforts to deliver effective development assistance.

The key note speaker at the seminar will be Emeritus Professor Goran Hyden who is a distinguished professor in political science. He has a large number of political scientific publications to his credit. He has over 40 years of extensive work experience in comparative perspectives on democratization; governance and sustainable development; the role of foreign aid agencies in national development and comparative public administration in Africa. Prof. Hyden has worked with several international organizations such as UNICEF, the World Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, ILO, UNDP, UN-AIDS, Danida, Swedish Cooperative Centre and the UN University.