KENAS, ARSO ink deal to strengthen accreditation and trade in Africa

BY MYGOV REPORTER 

The Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) and the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the accreditation of the ARSO Conformity Assessment Program (ACAP) and the administration of the ECOMARK (Made in Africa) Programme across the continent.

The ACAP framework establishes rules and procedures for operating certification schemes across multiple sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, aquaculture, and cocoa.

Currently, ACAP encompasses 11 certification schemes, ranging from sustainability and eco-labeling to African traditional medicine and sustainable mining.

This partnership will enable Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) across Africa to obtain accreditation, fostering trust and facilitating business access to international markets. Speaking at the event, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, ARSO Secretary General, emphasized the importance of a self-sustaining quality culture in Africa.

“Africa can develop a quality infrastructure culture that is self-driven—where trust and standards form the foundation of trade across the entire value chain,” he said.

“ACAP is a game changer, and private sector certification bodies can play a pivotal role. Through this partnership, we aim to build trust in African products and open borders for international trade under the ‘Made in Africa’ scheme,” he added.

Dr. Walter Ongeti, CEO of KENAS, highlighted the impact of the partnership in facilitating trade and supporting SMEs, “Africa is rich in re sources — from food and minerals to timber and unique agricultural products.

Trust in the quality and safety of these products is essential for market access,"

"The ACAP frame work and our collab oration with ARSO will ensure that products meet the highest standards, enabling SMEs and manufacturers to trade confidently across Africa and beyond.

"By bringing more certification bodies on board, we can truly spread our wings and build a continent-wide culture of quality,” he said.

KENAS, the first accreditation body in Africa to accredit certification bodies (CBs), has already accredited public sector CBs like the Zambia Bureau of Standards and KEBS.

Private sector CBs in Kenya, Uganda, and other African nations are also actively seeking accreditation, demonstrating the growing recognition of the value of accredited certification.

The partnership with ARSO will encourage more CBs to seek accreditation, strengthening Africa’s conformity assessment landscape and unlocking new market opportunities for African producers.

“KENAS has a critical role in building trust in Africa’s products,” added Dr. Ongeti.

“Whether it’s food safety, cosmetics, or sustainable agriculture, this partnership with ARSO will drive standardization and help Africa become a global player in quality production.”

The signing ceremony took place at International House, Nairobi, marking a significant step towards enhancing intra-African and global trade.