The Independent Recourse Mechanism (IRM) is the independent accountability and complaints platform of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Established in 2004 and formerly known as the Independent Review Mechanism, its primary purpose is to provide a channel for individuals, workers, and communities who believe they have been or could be negatively affected by an AfDB-financed project. [1, 2, 3]

Core Functions of the IRM

The IRM addresses complaints through three specific institutional channels: [1]

• Problem-Solving (Mediation): A voluntary, good-faith dialogue process to help complainants and the project borrower resolve disputes directly and find mutually agreeable remediation steps. [1, 2]
• Compliance Review: An investigative framework where the IRM checks whether the AfDB complied with its own environmental and social policies. If non-compliance is found to cause harm, the IRM determines remedy and redress. [1, 2]
• Advisory Function: Providing independent opinions on systemic bank issues, technical advice on operations, and sharing lessons learned to improve future projects. [1, 2]

Key Governance and Operating Principles

Following a major policy overhaul in September 2021, the IRM operates under streamlined guidelines designed to make complaints faster, more transparent, and highly accessible: [1]