African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Article 24 (1&6) 

States Parties which recognize the system of adoption shall ensure that the best interest of the child shall be the paramount consideration and they shall: 

  • Establish competent authorities to determine matters of adoption and ensure that the adoption is carried out in conformity with applicable laws and procedures and on the basis of all relevant and reliable information, that the adoption is permissible in view of the child’s status concerning parents, relatives and guardians and that, if necessary, the appropriate persons concerned have given their informed consent to the adoption on the basis of appropriate counselling; and
  •  Establish a machinery to monitor the well-being of the adopted child.