Press Release – ITC, African Organisation for Standardisation to propel ‘Made in Africa’ label and boost trade under AfCFTA

May 2, 2023May 3, 2023 Dan Kithome Latest News, Newsletter, Press Release

(Nairobi/Geneva) –The Nairobi-based African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and the Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to contribute to continent-wide efforts to establish a ‘Made in Africa’ label and boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The agreement renews a working commitment between the two organizations for five years until 2028, with an updated cooperation framework reflecting developments in Africa’s regional integration efforts, underpinned by the AfCFTA, and a growing global shift towards the use of sustainability standards to demonstrate commitment to good environmental, social, ethical and food safety practices.

The organizations will also promote regional standards in AfCFTA priority sectors and the Eco Mark Africa ecolabel. They will work together to align National Quality Policies with the Africa Quality Policy, and provide other AfCFTA support measures, including tailored training sessions for small businesses, including those led by women and young entrepreneurs.

At the signing ceremony, ARSO Secretary General Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana said: ‘This MOU will generate greater commitment between our organizations and boost intra-Africa trade, particularly through diversified production of value-added industrial products, across all priority sectors of Africa’s economy. Together, we will accelerate standardization activities to increase the competitiveness of African enterprises, strengthen regional value chains and pave the way for Made in Africa goods and services.’

In her remarks, ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton highlighted the role of stronger collaboration between the two organizations to strengthen regional integration and industrialization, building on improved quality infrastructure systems. Quality infrastructure services from ARSO enable AfCFTA State Parties to meet AfCFTA requirements.

‘This new agreement builds on the good work we’ve done together to support those who need it most – small businesses,’ said Coke-Hamilton. ‘By establishing a continental platform of quality associations, we will support the harmonization of standards and reduce barriers to trade under the AfCFTA. Our joint efforts will help drive the establishment of a Made in Africa label, to further promote intra-African trade, economic growth and development.’

The signing was also attended by H.E. Moses Kiarie Kuria, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Kenya; Lt. Col. (Rtd) Bernard Njiraini, Managing Director of the Kenya Bureau of Standards; and other distinguished guests.

Following the MOU signing, ARSO and ITC will collaborate on the design of a branding and marketing strategy to support the wide adoption of the Made in Africa label, and to support Rwanda and Somalia in adopting the Africa Quality Policy for their national contexts.

Notes for the Editor

About ARSO – The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) is a continental standards body that was established in 1977 by the African Union (formerly OAU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) with the aim of promoting and harmonizing standards development and implementation across Africa. The organization’s main objective is to facilitate intra-African and international trade through the development and implementation of harmonized standards, and conformity assessment and the related activities.

About ITC – The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information, visit www.intracen.org.

Follow ITC on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Flickr

About One Trade Africa – The ITC One Trade Africa programme works to enable, empower and enhance African small businesses, women and young entrepreneurs to access transformative business opportunities created by the AfCFTA. The programme embraces a three-pronged delivery model which supports African small businesses to compete, connect and change at the enterprise, business ecosystem and policy levels. ITC provides training, advice and coaching to build capacities, connect them to new and more lucrative markets, and create jobs.

Media contacts

Susanna Pak Senior Strategic Communications Officer International Trade Centre E: pak@intracen.org T : +41 22 730 0651 M : +41 79 667 4660

Philip Okungu Documentation and Information Manager African Organisation for Standardisation E : okungupm@arso-oran.org T : +2562224561 M : +256712370753

DIGITIZATION FOR SUSTAINABLE & INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT – ICT ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS.

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 Dan Kithome Newsletter

25TH JANUARY 2023 – MONTHLY ARSO WEBINAR

Time: 2:30 – 4:30 (1430 HRS – 1630 HRS) PM- EAST AFRICAN TIME

Rationale for the Webinar

Focusing on inclusive Transformation and Sustainable Development, prosperity for all.

Given the growing proliferation of devices, in the information age, it is vital that persons with disabilities (PwDs) can fully access Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the opportunities they provide in their own right, in an interconnected world, regardless of age, gender, ability, or location.

ARSO, therefore, jointly with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya, WELCOMES you to ARSO Monthly webinar series for January 2023, on 25^th December 2023 on Digitization for sustainable & inclusive development – ICT accessibility standards and requirements focusing on the Disabled persons. The Webinar take into consideration the experience of COVID 19 and the rise in the development of SMART Cities, where digitisation and the emerging ICTs are taking central place in sustainable development, permeating all sectors of life, including Health, Trade, Value-Chains, Manufacturing, Transportation, Governance, hence the need to consider the plight of all, including the Disabled, as per the UN Convention of 2006, and in the spirit of 2030 SDGs and the Africa Agenda 2063, that advocate for “inclusive prosperity with No one left Behind”.

https://www.itu.int/en/council/planning/Documents/Annual-report-2019-E.pdf

The Webinar highlights the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol (A/RES/61/106) adopted on 13 December 2006, which has established accessibility as one of its general principles, and Article 9 of which, requires the development of accessibility standards, and highlights the strategic role of Stakeholders and Government policy to ensure accessibility of services, as well as technical standards to ensure accessibility is taken into account in the design of technological products and services. The Webinar highlights the current standardisation initiatives including, the ETSI EN 301 549 and ETSI EN 301 549 (EU) and the Section 508 requirements (USA), and in Africa the initiative by Kenya, KEBS for the development of the KS ISO 2952 standard.

The Webinar seeks to create awareness of the growing population of the Disabled and the need for such standards, as UN estimates that 15% of the population worldwide, or some 1 billion individuals, live with one or more disabling conditions, with more than 46 per cent of older persons, those aged 60 years and over, having disabilities and more than 250 million older people experiencing moderate to severe disability. This, as the World Bank estimates that one billion people suffer from some sort of disability and predicting that by 2030, the number of senior citizens aged 60 and above who face age-related disabilities is expected to reach 1.4 billion, rising to 2.1 billion by 2050

The Webinar seeks to highlight the ongoing initiatives, the challenges and the need for regulatory policies that enhance the development and harmonisation of ICT Accessibility standards.

AFREXIMBANK, ITFC, BADEA and ARSO Lead Harmonisation of African Standards to Facilitate Intra-African Trade in Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices

November 7, 2022November 8, 2022 Dan Kithome International Cooperations, Latest News, Press Release

Project Sees Signing of MoU between ARSO and the AfCFTA

Nairobi, Kenya – (7th November 2022) – African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and the African Organization for Harmonization (ARSO), have partnered on a project to advance the harmonisation of standards governing Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. The project, deployed under the umbrella of the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) programme, is designed to promote the quality, safety, and trade of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal products and Medical devices and Equipment imported or produced on the continent. This forms part of a broader regulatory framework harmonization programs across the continent, linked to the implementation of the AfCFTA and preparedness for such pandemics like COVID-19 in future.

Indeed, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD have identified the COVID-19 pandemic as the largest threat to the global economy since the financial emergency of 2008–2009, as COVID-19 had severely demobilized the global economy. For Africa, on a positive note, due to the endemic reliance on imports, and the breakdowns in supply chains associated with lockdown measures, COVID‑19 has strengthened the case for developing intra-African regional value chains and unlocking the continent’s business potential, with a positive shift from global to a more regional and local supply chain in the key sectors including Agro-processing and the pharmaceuticals to foster manufacturing, trade, industrialization, and sustainable development,

With about 95.9% of Africa’s imports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products, originating from outside the continent (Karisha Banga, et al. 2020) COVID-19 pandemic, has not only magnified Africa’s reliance on imported pharmaceuticals (both final and intermediate products) but has also amplified the urgency for partnerships to build competitive, resilient and robust value chains and manufacturing opportunities in this sector, while addressing the regulatory and policy challenges to facilitate a regional approach to developing medical value chains based on comparative advantages and economies of scale, while focusing on the transformation of Africa into a location of competitive industrial production and the prioritisation of sectors with high potentials for industrial growth, and meaningfully making Africa leapfrog in its industrial development.

The ongoing partnership between AFREXIMBANK, ITFC, BADEA, and ARSO, has the objective to Harmonise standards for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices in Africa, linking to the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement in coordination with the AfCFTA Secretariat, given that the anticipated standards to be harmonised by ARSO being comparable to the 4,547 HS6, Tarif lines for the AfCFTA, as the WTO encourages Harmonization, use of equivalence and mutual recognition in the Free Trade Agreements, such as the AfCFTA.

This project, designed to be implemented in a phased manner over three years, till 2023, begun with the harmonisation of standards for Medical devices and equipment, Pharmaceutical and medicinal products, and African traditional medicine under the auspices of ARSO Technical Committees, ARSO/TC 78, ARSO/TC 80 and ARSO/TC 82, respectively, whereby the 1st phase focused mainly on the analysis of the existing international, regional, and national standards for their suitability in meeting the unique challenges faced by African healthcare industries. The 2^nd phase is focusing on the long-term development and harmonization of African Unique Standards, which are non-existing standards developed from the level zero draft. The project is also addressing the issue of technical regulations under the ARSO Conformity Assessment Committee (ARSO CACO) under its Working Group five, ARSO CACO WG5/ Technical regulation Subcommittee.

The Project which was launched in September 2020, aims to enhance intra-African trade and investment, reduce substandard counterfeit products, and build resilient regional health systems, in the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, with the following milestones:

The harmonisation of One-hundred and Thirteen (113) standards and Thirteen (13) Technical Regulation Guidelines that have already been published, and distributed both to the Partners, ARSO Members, and relevant Stakeholders in the Pharmaceutical industry;
The ongoing consideration of an additional Two Hundred and Sixty (260 standards and Seven (7) Technical Regulation Guidelines, under the process of harmonisation, and with the analysis of work in progress reflected below:

Medical devices and Equipment – ARSO TC 78

Seventy Final Draft African Standards (70 FDARS) – and being international standards to be presented to the ARSO Council for adoption approval by the end of 2022
Thirty (30) Unique standards under discussion at different stages in the Committee

ARSO TC 80/ Pharmaceutical and Medicinal products

Fifty-One Final Draft African Standards (51 FDARS) – international standards to be presented to the ARSO Council for adoption approval by the end of 2022
Forty-Eight (48) Unique standards under discussion at different stages in the Committee

ARSO TC 82/ African Traditional medicines

Twenty (20) – Unique standards under National Consultation by Member States
Forty-Two (42) – Unique standards under discussion at different stages in the Committee

ARSO CACO WG5/ Technical regulation Subcommittee

Seven (7) guidelines are currently at the inquiry stage by Member States

From the foregoing, taking into consideration that Standards underpin Industrialisation, Trade, and Market Access, and that the Pharmaceuticals Industry is one of the levers for building the Africa We Want, key stakeholders commented as follows:

H.E. Wamkele Mene, the AfCFTA Secretary General explained: “The AfCFTA Value Proposition for the Health Sector. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement has established one of the largest free markets across 55 African countries. It is meant to increase intra-Africa trade among State Parties. This however must be supported by an enhanced industrialization effort to meet the supply side constraints.

The pharmaceutical industry constituting $17billion of imported pharmaceutical preparations and products is one of the sectors which will release major gains from the market access provided by the Agreement for increased trade among African countries if well supported. We know and understand

that Africa continues to import a majority of its medicines and vaccines from outside the continent. The COVID19 pandemic however presents a potential for the continent to tap into the production of medicines and vaccines to contribute to addressing health gaps in the continent and increasing GDP growth.

The Secretariat has developed the Private Sector Engagement Strategy 2022-2032, and in this strategy, we have identified pharmaceuticals as part of four initial priority value chains, the others being agro-processing, automotive, and transportation and logistics. The strategy indicates that one of the main barriers to increasing production and intra-African trade is the lack of harmonized standards and regulations across the continent. This is in addition to a lack of markets, a lack of competitiveness compared to other regions, and insufficient transport and logistics. Addressing the bottlenecks around the pharmaceutical sector requires an urgent focus on strengthening Pan African regulatory bodies to harmonize regulations of pharmaceutical standards, increasing procurement of locally produced drugs, upgrading the capacity and scale of local manufacturers, and increasing access to affordable intra-continental freight capacity.

Focus on Standards Development in the Implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement

In our quest to implement the AfCFTA Agreement, related to Technical Barriers to Trade, it is known that standards and regulations are among the most important types of trade‐related measures used around the world to regulate trade. Due diligence must therefore be given to how they are crafted to help governments achieve important policy objectives, including safeguarding human health and safety, as well as protecting the environment and without unnecessarily disrupting trade. State Parties have therefore prioritized harmonization of standards in priority sectors as a high-impact deliverable for the implementation of the AfCFTA. To this end, the AfCFTA Secretariat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ARSO to provide a framework of cooperation to strengthen intra-Africa trade by prioritizing the development and harmonization of standards for enhanced diversification, industrialization, and transformation of Africa’s economy and to boost the continent’s capacity to meet its internal demand from its own resources.

Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with ARSO

The MoU and its implementation plan, therefore, provide a basis and resources for the execution of the deliverable on harmonization of standards in priority areas as envisaged by the AfCFTA Policy Organs. It is our interest to therefore partner with relevant technical institutions such as ARSO to deliver on our mandates while leveraging on the technical expertise on the development and harmonization of standards already existing in the continent. The activities specified in the ARSO and AfCFTA Secretariat MoU Implementation Plan (2022-2025) will directly contribute to the overall objectives of the AfCFTA, specifically on speeding up Africa’s economic integration, increasing intra-Africa trade, and addressing the key challenges related to COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges facing the continent.”

H.E. Ambassador Albert M. Muchanga, the Commissioner for Economic development, Trade, Tourism Industry and Minerals of the African Union Noted, “Africa is home to some of the most diverse plant and floral varieties known to man and these potentially form the base of many pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceutical and medical devices industries are, however, not that well developed in Africa. Aside from its potential to become a strong driver for economic growth, events of the last few years have shown that the continent needs to establish its own self-reliance when it comes to medical requirements across the board. Africa now has enough pharmaceutical and medical device standards developed or under development to enable this industry to expand in those countries where it has been established and to be seeded in many other African countries. In this sector, perhaps more than in any other, the door to potential counterfeit and sub-standard products must remain firmly shut due to the negative consequences of such on health and safety. We at the AUC, therefore, encourage and support the ongoing development and harmonisation of standards for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices in Africa being carried out under the Umbrella of the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program.”

Ms. Kanayo Awani, the Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, Afreximbank, while reflecting on the initiative’s progress, said “As Africa undertakes the ambitious implementation of the AfCFTA, it is vital that our regulatory and policy framework reflects an interconnected region in which growth can be cross-border and truly intra-African. The recent pandemic proved the vulnerability of Africa’s dependence on foreign medical imports, and this partnership is advancing a new model of manufacturing and production which secures the continent and its people against future crises and challenges.”

Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, ITFC CEO, commenting on the initiative, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the urgent need to develop intra-African regional value chains and unlock the continent’s business potential to foster more trade as a counterbalance to the region’s high exposure to global supply chain challenges. As the pandemic’s impact on the global economy begins to fade, now is the time to strengthen our resiliency as we look to achieve more sustainable economic development. The AATB Harmonization Project, which aims to enhance the continent’s health resilience, will continue to build competitive and robust value chains and manufacturing opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector. A thriving homegrown pharmaceutical sector will increase trade and investment, which will deliver more jobs, greater economic opportunities, and enhance Africa’s overall economic prospects.”

His Excellency Dr Sidi Ould Tah BADEA Director General, “As the pandemic stretched the abilities of the medical and health supply chain and demonstrated the health dangers from extreme import dependence. The same pandemic created an opportunity to reflect and reassess how we can stimulate and standardize the medical manufacturing and medical trade in Africa. This joint project is critical commitment from BADEA and our partners to the project to provide the tools, coordination platform and the necessary funds to build capacity and create resilience to future health shocks through manufacturing and harmonizing the medical industry necessary medical supplies in the continent”

Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, ARSO’s Secretary General, while referring to the partnership said that, “All the work items were identified and proposed by the ARSO Member States, as a priority to respond to the Covid–19 pandemic and partnering to bring a solution for Africa with the vision of prioritising the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement, a step that was sealed during the Intra-Africa Trade Fair 2021 that took place in Durban, South Africa in November, where ARSO and the AfCFTA Secretariat signed an MoU aimed at the implementation of the TBT Annex 6 and SPS Annex 7, as the Agreement binds all state parties to work collaboratively to reduce the challenges of the TBTs in Africa.”

END

About African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), created by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement among 54 of the 55 African Union member States, is a free trade area founded in 2018 and is one of the fourteen (14) flagship projects of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Africa we Want. The Agreement entered into force on 30 May 2019 for the 24 countries that had deposited their instruments of ratification by this date, with the operational phase, launched during the 12th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union on the AfCFTA in Niamey, Niger on 7 July 2019. Considered the largest free-trade area in the world in terms of the number of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization the start of real trading under the AfCFTA Agreement began on 1 January 2021, however, no trade has as yet taken place under the AfCFTA regime.

Implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement is on course and as of April 2022, 43 of the 54 signatories (80%) have deposited their instruments of AfCFTA ratification. The AfCFTA Secretariat, which implements the Agreement, is hosted in Accra, Ghana by the Government of the Republic of Ghana.

About African Union Commission (AUC)

The African Union Commission (AUC) is the African Union (AU)’s secretariat and undertakes the day-to-day activities of the Union. It is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Commission is composed of a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and six commissioners, plus staff. The Assembly elects the AUC Chairperson and AUC Deputy Chairperson. The Executive Council elects the six AUC Commissioners, who are then appointed by the Assembly. Commission members’ terms are for four years, renewable once. Elections and terms are governed by the AU Assembly Rules of Procedure, the Executive Council Rules of Procedure , and the Commission Statutes. Its functions include:

Representing the AU and defending its interests under the guidance of and as mandated by the Assembly and the Executive Council
Initiating proposals to be submitted to the AU’s organs as well as implementing decisions taken by them and Acting as the custodian of the AU Constitutive Act and all other OAU/AU legal instruments
Liaising closely with the AU organs to guide, support, and monitor the AU’s performance to ensure conformity and harmony with agreed policies, strategies, programmes, and projects
Providing operational support for all AU organs and assisting Member States in implementing the AU’s programmes
Drafting AU common positions and coordinating Member States’ actions in international negotiations
Managing the AU budget and resources and elaborating, promoting, coordinating, and harmonising the AU’s programmes and policies with those of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
Ensuring gender mainstreaming in all AU programmes and activities and Taking action, as delegated by the Assembly and Executive Council.

For more information visit: www.au.int

About African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)

Afreximbank is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. Afreximbank deploys innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Afreximbank is working with the AU and the AfCFTA Secretariat to develop an Adjustment Facility to support countries in effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of 2021, the Bank’s total assets and guarantees stood at US$24.8 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$4 billion. Afreximbank disbursed more than US$51 billion between 2016 and 2021. The Bank has ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A-), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), and Fitch (BBB-). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.afreximbank.com

About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which contributes to the overarching goal of improving the socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided more than US$61 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity-building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.

Contact Us

Twitter: @ITFCCORP

Facebook: @ITFCCORP

Linkedin: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)

Tel: +966 12 646 8337

Fax: +966 12 637 1064

E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org

About the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA):

Founded in 1974 by eighteen Arab countries, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) is BADEA is rated Aa2/Positive outlook by Moody’s, and AA/Stable outlook by S&P Global Ratings. BADEA is a multilateral development financial institution recognized as a reputable partner in Arab–Africa cooperation. BADEA offers a wide array of products and services for financing development in Africa. BADEA products include loans to public and private entities that finance trade, infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, and social sectors, small and medium enterprises with special focus on women and youth, as well as grants for capacity development. BADEA 2030 strategy positions the bank as a flexible, effective, and reliable development partner in Africa’s transformation and progress towards 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for the African Union’s Agenda 2063

For More Information visit: www.badea.org

About the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO)

The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) is Africa’s intergovernmental standards body formed by OAU (currently AU) and UNECA in 1977 in Accra Ghana. The ARSO mandate is to facilitate intra-African and World Trade through Harmonisation of Standards and Conformity Assessment Procedures and facilitation of opportunities for Mutual recognition arrangements for the harmonised standards and conformity assessment which directly aims at reducing Technical Barriers to Trade in Africa.

On the African level, harmonisation of African standards has been championed through ARSO and more than 1485 standards have been harmonised[1]. The harmonised work is done within 15 sectors comprised of 84 Technical committees (TC) covering various areas of major African interest.

These 15 Sectors are: Basic and General Standards; Agriculture and Food Products; Building and Civil Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy; Chemical & Chemical Engineering; Electro-technology; Textiles and Leather; Transport and Communication; Environmental Management Systems; Energy and Natural Resources; Management and Quality; Services; African Traditional and Complimentary Medicine; Healthcare Technology; Household Goods and Services.

For More Information visit: – www.arso-oran.org

[1] Harmonised as at October 2022

Consultancy Opportunity – (Extended Deadline 9th January 2023 from 3rd December 2022)

October 23, 2022December 8, 2022 Dan Kithome Consultancy, International Cooperations, Latest News, Newsletter

Terms of References for Development of Certification Documents, Modules/ Guidelines and Checklists (Please note the Categories Under Each Segment where you can only select a maximum of 8 Scopes)

Make an Application for the Consultancy Opportunity on this link before the deadline stated above

Apply for the Consultancy Here – https://forms.gle/uBodFcwHK6acHBN17

Read the Terms of Reference on the Development of Certification Documents, Modules/ Guidelines and Checklists before filling in this form above

Terms of Reference for Development of Certification Documents (i) Certification Modules Guidelines (ii) Checklist (iii) Policies and Instructions Download

Samples of the Documents Above please check under the Link Below

Click Here to Review Sample Documents Online

The Consultancy Opportunity Deadline Extended to 9th January 2023 from 18th November 2022

Terms of References for Different Consultancy Opportunities (Please note the Categories Under Each Segment where you can only select a maximum of 5 Scopes)

Make an Application for the Consultancy Opportunity on this link before the deadline stated above

Apply for the Consultancy Here – ht tps://forms.gle/Lp9UbrnN9ZYxj7Aa6

1. Background

The Economic Report on Africa 2013 recognizes that African commodities can form the basis for industrialization but notes that non-tariff barriers, sanitary and phyto-sanitary barriers and technical barriers to trade, especially for agricultural commodities must be overcome by the concerted efforts of the continent’s institutions and Member States (UNECA & AUC, 2013). These barriers along the whole value-chain reduce returns to farmers while increasing prices paid by consumers. Removing these barriers to regional trade is essential if Africa is to attain its potential in food trade. But to achieve this, governments will need to overcome the political economy realities that have prevented African countries embracing open regional trade in food. They will need to provide a clear and predictable policy framework for regional trade so that institutions that facilitate exchange and mitigate the inherent risks associated with food production can flourish and support efficient and safer market outcomes and a more effective approach to food security in Africa (WB, 2012).

The African Union recognizes the crucial role agriculture in ensuring food and nutrition security in Africa and has passed many important instruments to support agricultural productivity and food trade in Africa. The Summit on Food Security (AUC, 2006) in particular called for harmonization of standards to facilitate free movement of food products in Africa and thus foster food and nutrition security in the continent.

In assessing the factors hindering agro-based trade, AUC & UNECA (2012) indicate that trade in agriculture and food products among African countries faces more challenges that the same products coming into Africa from outside Africa. Some of the barriers encountered can be categorized as standards-related regulations in the domain of the agricultural value chains and trade-facilitation aspects such as labelling and packaging. In this respect, the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has harmonized priority standards for agriculture and food products which should facilitate the AU agenda. However, the technical nature of many standards has been identified as a major contributing factor to the low uptake and utilization of standards among African enterprises and communities. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that many African countries do not offer specialized expert interpretation of standards for implementers. In the food and agriculture sector, the stakeholders mostly constitute smallholder farmers with limited exposure to technical language. The failure by governments in Africa compounds the problem further.

2. Once you read and understand the Terms of Reference below; register and fill details including the technical and financial proposal (you shall need a google account to save and update the form shared below for your application)

3. TERMS OF REFERENCE

Compilation (monographs) of African indigenous cereals, pulses and oilseeds and their value addition for commercialization

Compilation-monographs-of-African-indigenous-cereals-pulses-and-oilseeds-and-their-value-addition-for-commercialization

Compilation (monographs) of African indigenous herbs, spices and condiments and their value addition processes

Compilation-monographs-of-African-indigenous-herbs-spices-and-condiments-and-their-value-addition-processes

Compilation of (monographs) African indigenous edible fruits, nuts and vegetables including their value addition and commercialization

Compilation-of-monographs-African-indigenous-edible-fruits-nuts-and-vegetables-including-their-value-addition

Edible insects in Africa — Identification, good agricultural and collection practices and value addition for human consumption and commercialization

Edible-insects-in-Africa-Identification-good-agricultural-and-collection-practices-and-value-addition-for-hc

Insects for animal feed— Identification, good agricultural and wild collection practices and value addition processes

Insects-for-animal-feed-Identification-good-agricultural-and-wild-collection-practices-and-value-addition-processes

Terms of Reference for Development of Illustrated Sensitization and Promotional Materials on Agricultural Products and Processes: Good Practice Outreach Materials, GPOM

Terms-of-Reference-for-Development-of-Illustrated-Sensitization-and-Promotional-Materials-on-Agricultural-Products-and-Processes

Terms of Reference for Development of Training Modules

Terms-of-Reference-for-Development-of-Training-Modules

Terms of Reference for Development of Value Addition Modules

Terms-of-Reference-for-Development-of-Value-Addition-Modules

Samples of the Documents Above please check under the Link Below

Click Here to Review Sample Documents Online

ASTM/ARSO Webinar Workshop on Petroleum

October 21, 2022October 24, 2022 Dan Kithome International Cooperations, Latest News, Newsletter, Webinar

Tuesday, October 25^th, 2022 – 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM EST (14:30 – 16:00 EAT)

Concept Note

ASTM International: “ASTM International’s Standards Alliance Project on the Harmonization of Petroleum Standards in West Africa and, ARSO’s Development of African Standards (ARS) for fuels: The importance of testing standards in line with available testing equipment”

Introduction:

ASTM International Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants was formed in 1904. With a current membership of approximately 2500 industry professionals and experts and, jurisdiction over 814 standards, published in six volumes of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, D02 meets twice a year, June and December. During the Committee Week (CW), approximately 1000 members attend 5 days of technical meetings focusing on the latest standards developments in the more than one hundred subcommittees that it serves. This year, the December 4-8 D02 CW to be held in Orlando, Florida, will host eight representatives (two from each of the four ECOWAS countries) that are participating in the ASTM/API (The American Petroleum Institute) Standards Alliance program, aimed at harmonizing petroleum standards in West Africa. To date, two ASTM workshops have been held in Nigeria and Ghana: #petroleum #standardsdevelopment #Ghana

Background:

In November 2019, The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), through its public-private partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – the Standards Alliance – organized a five-day training on international petroleum standards and management systems in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This event was organized in coordination with the Ivoirian Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energy and the national standards bodies of Côte d’Ivoire (CODINORM), Ghana (GSA), Nigeria (SON), and Senegal (ASN). The training provided an opportunity for 25 participants to discuss international best practices for petroleum, environmental and economic challenges and, the need for regional harmonization of petroleum standards to maximize economies of scale and ensure high quality petroleum products across the ECOWAS.

ARSO/TC 37, Petroleum and petrochemical products – Technical Committee dealing with Standards Development under the Category.

Proposed Objectives/Results:

This workshop, the fourth in a series of five ARSO/ASTM’s webinars scheduled for 2022, is in response to the selection of the topic (one of the five priority topics) through a survey conducted with the members of the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO). The webinar seeks to share the success of the current ASTM/API harmonization of petroleum standards in West Africa while also looking at ARSO’s Development of African Standards (ARS) for fuels and the importance of testing standards in line with available testing equipment in the continent. Public and private sector Industry experts, regulators, ARSO members and consumers are expected to attend.

Panellists & Bios:

This webinar will feature two speakers – one from ASTM and another from an African country to be proposed by ARSO. The ASTM Speaker will highlight the success of the ASTM Standards Alliance Program in West Africa to date and identify existing gaps in test methods in member countries while ARSO Speaker will discuss the Development of African Standards (ARS) for fuels and the importance of testing standards in line with available testing equipment.

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Speaker 1: Mr. August Wiredu, ASTM Petroleum Standards Consultant, U.S./Ghana.

Speaker 2: Mr. Stuart Raye, Motor industry fuel and emission technical expert, South Africa.

Celebrating World Food Day with Standards as tools for increased productivity and agricultural trade

October 17, 2022October 17, 2022 Dan Kithome International Cooperations, Latest News, Newsletter

The World Food Day is observed annually on 16 October to highlight the millions of people worldwide who cannot afford a healthy diet and the need for regular access to nutritious food. The theme for 2022 is Leave NO ONE behind.

World Food Day 2022 is being marked with a clear focus of the fact that Agriculture and food are the leading sectors for synergies across development and climate action, delivering simultaneously on the Sustainable Development Goals, national growth and food security goals, and climate adaptation and mitigation.

For Africa, Agriculture, providing 60 percent of all employment, constitutes the backbone of most African economies; in most countries, it is still the largest contributor (30-40%) to GDP; the biggest source of foreign exchange and the main generator of savings and tax revenues. The sector still the dominant provider of industrial raw materials with about two-thirds of manufacturing value-added in most African countries being based on agricultural raw materials. Given its backward and forward linkages for industries, agriculture thus remains crucial for economic growth in most African countries, however, Technical Barriers to Trade due to variant standards and Conformity Assessment procedures due to different Africans regional Agricultural Policies limit Agricultural trade and Productivity.

ARSO is promoting harmonization of African standards and Conformity assessment systems focused on facilitating the production and trade of Agricultural and food products, in the context of the AfCFTA Agreement, through eight main sectors namely fish and fisheries products, milk and milk products, horticulture, Coffee, cocoa and tea, live animals, animal feeding and agriculture and biotechnology with the support of experts from African Countries member of ARSO. ARSO is also facilitating. ARSO also continues to engage stakeholders in the development of training modules, Certification guidelines, Value Addition Modules, Conformity Assessment Checklists and Audit Instructions, outreach Materials and as well as in awareness creation for effective food regulatory systems as well as for competitiveness of the Made in Africa Agricultural Products and the MMMEs, while taking advantage of the 4th Industrial Revolution under the ARSO African 4th Industrial Revolution Standardisation Strategy which was launched on 9th December 2021. The initiatives are in tandem with the FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31, for the Four Betters: better production, nutrition, environment, life for all, leaving no one behind.

Bioethanol Standardization Web-series – Clean Cooking Fuel

August 25, 2022August 25, 2022 Dan Kithome Latest News, Webinar

Webinar #3 Policy, Trade, and Market Opportunities for Bioethanol as a Clean Cooking Fuel

August 31, 2022 from 15:30 – 17:00 EAT, 13:30 – 15:00 WAT, 8:30 – 10:00 EDT

In support of international best practices and harmonization for bioethanol standards, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) – through its public-private partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is hosting a webinar on Bioethanol as a Clean Cooking Fuel. The series is coordinated in close partnership with the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) and Pivot Clean Energy Co (Pivot).

In sub-Saharan Africa, 80% of the population cooks with solid or fossil fuels (wood, charcoal, coal, kerosene). The region’s reliance on traditional biomass and solid fuels has enormous negative effects on the environment and health, particularly for women and children.

This webinar, the third of five in the webinar series, will provide discussion around the establishment of regulatory frameworks and smart policy that governments can consider in order to attract and foster enabling environments for emerging markets like bioethanol cooking. This discussion will help fortify the case for supporting a transition to bioethanol clean cooking businesses and provide context for the consequent webinars that will address the standards and policy considerations for developing this market segment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Speakers will expand on:

Policy considerations for smart regulatory frameworks that support emerging markets

Implications of policies on international trade opportunities
Practical implementation of reviewing and revising policy

Speakers will also have time to engage with the audience after the presentations and welcome questions on their respective areas of expertise.

You can register using the following Zoom registration link: REGISTER HERE

SPEAKERS

Mike Lorenz is the Senior Vice President of Market Development with Growth Energy, a U.S. trade association that works to advance pro-bioethanol policies and expand consumer access to higher blends of bioethanol.

Jad Wakileh is an Ethanol Consultant for U.S. Grains Council, a non-profit organization that develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum, and related products including dried distiller’s grains with solubles and bioethanol.

Emily Marthaler currently serves as the biofuels trade policy lead for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), which links U.S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security.

Sophie Odupoy is the Group Head of Public Affairs for KOKO Networks, an international technology company that is a leader in bioethanol cooking products and fuel.

Prof. Alex Dodoo inaugurated as the 15^th ARSO President for the 2022-2025 Term of Office.

July 19, 2022July 19, 2022 Dan Kithome Congratulation messages for new appointments, General Assembly, Latest News, Press Release

Inaugurated ARSO President Prof Alex Dodoo receives the ARSO Flag from the Outgoing President Booto a Ngon Charles

Prof. Alex Dodoo was Inaugurated by the 28^th ARSO General Assembly, on 30^th June 2022,in Yaoundé Cameroon, as the 15^th ARSO President for the 2022-2025 Term of Office, following his election as the President-Elect by the 26^th General Assembly held on a hybrid form on 16^th June 2021, Taking Note, of the Constitutional Provision which under Schedule I, Rule 4, clause 4.2.2, highlights that “One year prior to the completion of office of a President, the next President shall be elected and shall commence his/her duties upon approval by the General Assembly”.

Prof. Alex Dodoo, who is also the ARSO Political Good Will Ambassador to the African Continental Free Trade Area, made commitments to take ARSO to the next level, in the context of the implementation of the goals of the ARSO 2022-2027 Strategic Plan which was also approved and adopted by the 28^th ARSO General Assembly, and which focuses on:

Facilitation of Quality Culture in Africa with increased focus on Quality Policy at the National and Regional levels, Cooperation in standardisation activities, including Mutual Recognition Arrangements and Information Sharing.
The promotion and acceleration of industrialisation in Africa with a focus SMEs and the Made in Africa Products (AfCFTA Products) and Strengthening the Conformity Assessment to serve the interest of African industries, farmers, producers and consumers, while aligning Africa to universal Sustainability policy in accordance to SDG 2030.
Expectation on ARSO under the AfCFTA Agreement TBT Annex 6 and SPS Annex 7, and the implementation plans, under the Sub-Committee for Technical Barriers to Trade, including addressing the SPS Measures, greater partnerships, and Universal of membership of African Countries in ARSO.

Consultancy Opportunity – Study

July 14, 2022August 23, 2022 Dan Kithome Consultancy

Terms of Reference for Consultants for Research and Study on (Deadline for Expression of Interest on 31st August 2022)

Click and Register Here (Expression of Interest Only Submitted through this Link) * – Click Here
*Note that you will need to use a google email account in order to upload your curriculum vitae

The opportunities and challenges of environmental standards in the development of competitive green value chains in Africa and African standards on governance and security with specific emphasis on the studies listed below –

1. The Benefits of Implementing Harmonized African Standards

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TERME-DE-REFERENCE-SUR-LES-AVANTAGES-DE-LA-MISE-EN-OEUVRE-DE-NORMES-AFRICAINES-HARMONISEES

2. The opportunities and challenges of development sustainability standards in AU priority sectors

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TERME-DE-REFERENCE-SUR-LES-OPPORTUNITES-ET-LES-DEFIS-DU-DEVELOPPEMENT-DE-NORMES-DE-DURABILITE

3. The Benefits of Implementing Sustainability Standards

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4. Conduct a benchmarking analysis leading to further engagements with the IFOAM schemes

TOR_FOR-CONSULTANT-REVIEWING-THE-SCOPES-OF-THE-EMA-SCHEME-AGAINST-SIMILAR-SCOPES-OF-OTHER-SCHEMES….

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Background

ARSO and UNECA are jointly implementing a project on “Promoting the adoption of environmental standards to support globally competitive African value chains in the context of the AfCFTA“.

Introduction:

The African Organization for Standardisation (ARSO) is an African intergovernmental organization established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Organization of African Unity (currently AU) in 1977. The fundamental mandate of ARSO is to develop and harmonize African Standards (ARS) and an African Conformity Assessment System for the purpose of enhancing Africa’s internal trading capacity, increase Africa’s product and service competitiveness globally and uplift the welfare of African communities. The work of preparing African Standards is normally carried out through ARSO technical committees, in liaison with international organizations, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), governmental and non-governmental organizations. Each Member State interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee., This could entail undertaking relevant research with a view to identifying issues that require interventions in order to improve the quality of goods and services and facilitate trade in the continent.

UNECA was established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions. ECA’s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development.

28th ARSO General Assembly – Yaounde, Cameroon (2022)

June 7, 2022June 13, 2022 Dan Kithome General Assembly, Latest News, Press Release

ARSO – CAMEROON 2022

ARSO WEEK 2022

28th ARSO General Assembly Events – 27^THJUNE – 1^ST JULY 2022

Welcome to Yaoundé, Cameroon

Read More here and Register for Hotels and City Tours on – https://www.anor.cm/arso

The Government of the Republic of Cameroon Hosts the 28^th ARSO General Assembly Events, at the Hilton Hotel, Yaoundé, through the Agence Des Normes Et De La Qualité (ANOR),

Theme: “the Standards We Want – African Union Agenda 2063 and African Continental Free Trade Area: “The Role of Standardisation and Conformity Assessment During a Journey of 41 Years”.

The General Assembly composed of the ARSO members is the Supreme organ of ARSO and meets once a year to review the progress of the Organisation based on the Yearly Strategic Plans. This Year’s (2022) General Assembly week (27^th June – 1^st July 2022), hosted by the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, through ANOR, focuses on a week-long event that review the progress of ARSO Programmes under the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan, since the 26^th General Assembly (16^th June 2021) and the Extra-Ordinary Meeting 27^th ARSO General Assembly held on 7^th October 2021, with forward looking into the implementation of the ARSO 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. The theme emphasises on the need for harmonised standards and Conformity Assessment Regimes that “We Want”, for the seamless flow of goods and Services in a single Market under the AfCFTA Agreement, while facilitating global Market Access Global Trading Systems and in meeting the Aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 SDGs.

Message from the ARSO President and the Director General of Agence des Normes et de la Qualité (ANOR), Mr. BOOTO à NGON Charles. The Standards We Want”.

On behalf of the ARSO Fraternity and the ANOR Administration, I welcome you to Yaoundé Cameroon for the 2022 ARSO Week, to discuss the standardisation strategy for the Africa we Want, based on effective Quality Infrastructure and Africa Quality Policy. As you are aware, the decision by the African Union to adopt the African Quality Policy and the current momentum being witnessed to achieve the Africa’s regional integration and industrialization Agenda as reinforced the Aspirations of Agenda 2063, Africa we Want, Industrialised, Self -reliant and trading more with itself, on products and services Made in Africa. As we celebrate, therefore, the milestones in standardisation in Africa, at the ARSO 2022 Week, the 28th ARSO GA Events, I wish to point out that, the fast-tracking of the implementation of its Flagship Project, the AfCFTA Agreement, explains, therefore, why the increased need for strengthening the capacity of Quality infrastructure in African countries in relations to metrology, standards (Technical Regulations), accreditation and conformity assessment to address the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs) issues remains a key strategy for the Achievement of the Agenda 2063, the Africa we Want, prosperous and self-reliant. This requires appropriate Standards. As an intergovernmental body, ARSO, in partnerships with the regional and International Standardisation Community, continues to harmonise Standards and Conformity Assessment Regimes, that we want, to achieve this goal. The Standards that will facilitate the competitiveness of the African SMEs, Made in Africa Products and the establishment the Regional Value Chains for increased intra-African Trade. ANOR welcomes you to the Weeklong ARSO 2022 Week to discuss the Standards we want for the next 41 years, under the Agenda 2063.

Message from the ARSO Secretary General, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, in understanding the Mandate of ARSO in the Context of “The Role of Standardisation and Conformity Assessment During a Journey of next 41 Years”.

Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana

There is no doubt that the next 41 years of Africa Integration Agenda needs a Universal membership of African countries in ARSO and greater partnerships between International and African Standardisation Community under the PAQI Platform, for Common “Standards and harmonised Conformity Assessment” regimes that “we want” to reduce the regulatory burden (which currently has hindered intra-Africa trade and global market access) of African producers, traders and Consumers. As the ARSO Fraternity welcomes you to the events of the 28^th ARSO General Assembly, we must stay focused to the reality that making the AfCFTA work effectively requires establishing the mechanisms envisaged in its operative provisions, protocols and Annexes and introducing the obligations it imposes into the laws and regulations of each state Party. Within its TBT Annex 6 and TBT Annex 7, AfCFTA Agreement, binds all state parties to cooperate in the development and implementation of standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures, accreditation, metrology, capacity building and enforcement activities in order to facilitate trade within the AfCFTA. Formed in 1977 by the African Union (formerly OAU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and currently with a membership of Forty two (42) African countries, (has (42) member States : Algeria, Botswana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo Brazzaville, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, New State of Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and with Zanzibar as an Observer member.). Having ratified the ARSO Constitution and ARSO Instrument of Accession, Burundi is tipped to be the 43^rd ARSO member after Chad and Somalia which have joined and will be welcomed by the 28^th ARSO General Assembly. This is in response to AfCFTA Agreement TBT Annex 6, article 6, f, which calls on State parties to promote membership, liaison and participation in the work of ISO, IEC, ARSO, AFSEC and similar international and regional standardisation organisations. Already with a mandate (under article 6) to Harmonise standards and Conformity Assessment to facilitate the free movements of goods and Services under the African Single Market of the AfCFTA Agreement, the anticipated standards (the WANTED/DESIRABLE STANDARDS) needed to be harmonised by ARSO is comparable to the 4,547 HS6, Tarif lines for the AfCFTA. This, therefore, calls for increased cooperation, in the Context of the AfCFTA TBT Agreement Annex 6 (Article 6 – Cooperation in Standardisation; Article 7 – Cooperation in Technical Regulations and Article 8 – Cooperation in Conformity Assessment, including facilitation of Mutual Recognition Arrangements). Already the signed MoU, with an endorsed Implementation Plan, with the AfCFTA Secretary General, H.E. Wamkele Mene, on 17th November 2021, in Durban South Africa, during the IATF, 2021, provides a Framework for developing the Standards we want. For more information visit the ARSO Website: http://www.arso-oran.org/.

28^th ARSO General Assembly – Key Expectations

The 28th ARSO General Assembly opening Ceremonies will be officially presided over by the Prime Minister of the Government of Cameroon, Joseph Dion Ngute.
The General Assembly will also be addressed by Chief Guests from the African Union, Afreximbank, UNECA, AfDB, and ISO.
Election of New ARSO Council and the Inauguration of the New ARSO President, Prof. Alex Dodoo for the Term of Office 2022-2025
One week long Capacity building Workshop for ARSO TCs Chairpersons and Secretariates and ARSO CACO members

Official admission of three New ARSO Members by the General Assembly into ARSO Membership as witnessed the Stakeholders

Somalia – Somalia Bureau of Standards, Chad – l’Agence Tchadienne de Normalisation, Burundi– Burundi Bureau of standards and quality control (BNCQ)

Discussions and Recommendations at the African Day of Standardisation Workshop under the four sessions of: Session 1 – Pharmaceuticals and Medical devices industry; Session 2 – Value addition and access to market for Agriculture and Food products; Session 3 – Automotive Industry , and Session 4 – Sustainability standards role within the AfCFTA.

Week long Made in Africa Expo – for the Cameroon Local Industries and SMEs – Awards Ceremony for the best three Exhibitors (Recognition Awards for the 9th ARSO Continental Essay Competitions 2021/2022)

Engagements with Stakeholders and Development Partners on cooperation within the ARSO 2022-2027 Strategic Plan to be approved by the GA during the 28^th General Assembly.

Networking, engagements and Discussions during the Gala Dinner, Welcoming Cocktail and Industrial/lab visits.

Expected Delegates at the 28^th ARSO General Assembly Events

Representatives of:

ARSO Champions Members:	Botswana (Vice Chairperson), Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe). Chaired by the Chairperson, Zambia.
ARSO-AfDB Steering Committee:	(ARSO Vice President, ARSO Treasurer, ARSO Secretary General, ARSO Technical Director, ARSO Project Coordinator, UNECA Representative).
ARSO Council Members:	Botswana (Vice President), Burkina Faso (Treasurer), DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) Chaired by the President.
ARSO Members (42):	Algeria, Botswana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo Brazzaville, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, New State of Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Zanzibar as an Observer member.
African Countries which are Non ARSO Members:	Angola, CAR, Cape Verde, Lesotho, Eritrea, Mozambique, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Rep., São Tomé & Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, Lesotho.
ARSO Stakeholders: African Union, African Organisations, RECs, PAQI Institutions, International Organisations and Development Partners:	ARSO Stakeholders and Development Partners: African Union, AfCFTA Secretariat., Afreximbank, AfDB, UNECA, PAQI (AFRIMETS, AFRAC, AFSEC), RECS (AMU, COMESA, CEN-SAD, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, IGAD, SADC, SACU, EAGC, EABC, CBC,), IAPSC, OAPI, ARIPO, AUDA-NEPAD, KENAS, SANAS,, NRSC, TMEA, IACO, IEC-AFRC, AOAC, AFNOR, AAS, COTECNA, DNVGL-France, AMC -APEX, ASTML International, ANSI, AOAC, AMCOW, GIZ-Germany, PTB-Germany, BSI, COLEACP, ISMIIC, ESMA-UAE, HAI-UAE, COTECNA, IEC, Intertek, IEEE, UL, , ITFC, BADEA, FAIRTRADE Africa, HIAF, KATS-Korea, NESTLE, CEN-CENELEC, RNF, INBAR, AFNOR, CEN-CENELEC, INBAR, Proctor and Gamble, PTB-Germany, DNVGL, QCI, SIS, RNF, ISO, ITC, ITU, SAC-China, , UNIDO, UNECE, UL, WTO…

ARSO TC 12 Publishing of 6 Draft Standards (Deadline – 4th April 2022)

February 7, 2022April 25, 2022 Dan Kithome Public Review

ARSO/TC 12 the committee dealing with the harmonization of Cereals, pulses and derived products approved the 6 Drafts Standards for members to conduct Public Review, (Enquiry stage).

1. DARS 461-2022, Maize grains (Corn) – Specification

DARS-461-2022-Maize-grains-Corn-Specification

Comment _DARS 461-2022, Maize grains (Corn) – Specification Download

2. DARS 462-2022 Sorghum grains — Specification

DARS-461-2022-Maize-grains-Corn-Specification

Comment _DARS 462-2022 Sorghum grains — Specification Download

3. DARS 463-2022, Pearl millet grains – Specification

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Comment _DARS 463-2022, Pearl millet grains – Specification Download

4. DARS 464-2022, Milled rice – Specification

DARS-464-2022-Milled-rice-Specification

Comment _DARS 464-2022, Milled rice – Specification Download

5. DARS 466-2022, Milled maize products – Specification

DARS-466-2022-Milled-maize-products-Specification

Comment _DARS 466-2022, Milled maize products – Specification Download

6. DARS 858-2022, Rough (paddy) rice – Specification

DARS-858-2022-Rough-paddy-rice-Specification

Comment _DARS 858-2022, Rough (paddy) rice – Specification Download

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Please note that as per the ASHAM Procedure the Public Review, (Enquiry stage) period is sixty days and the committee Secretary will be compiling the outcomes on the 4th April 2022.

At the close of business on 4th April 2022 the ARSO TC 12 committee Secretary Mr. Nathaniel Kofi Brakoh through email nathaniel.brakoh@gsa.gov.gh; natbrakoh13@gmail.com; and copy arso@arso-oran.org; will be receiving the comments from Public Review, (Enquiry stage) for collation and subsequent consideration by the TC.

Press Release – Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Round Table

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021 Dan Kithome Newsletter

Under the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program, ITFC, Afreximbank, BADEA and ARSO organized a High-level Roundtable on the Harmonisation of Standards for Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Devices in Africa during IATF 2021 in Durban

The week-long event brought together government officials, policy-makers, industry leaders and institutional heads from African countries and other regions to discuss the future of of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), trade, health and post-covid economic recovery.

Durban, 18^th November 2021 – The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the African Organization for Harmonization (ARSO) joined other partners and strategic stakeholders for a strategic roundtable on the Harmonisation of Standards for Pharmaceutical products and Medical Devices in Africa.

The event which took place on the 17^th November, 2021 on the sidelines of the 2021 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), highlighted the progress made on the Harmonisation process and the impact its full implementation will have on the continental economy in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speakers at the event included Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO ITFC; Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, BADEA Director General; Mr. Amr Kamel, Executive Vice President (EVP)- Business Development and Corporate Banking, Afreximbank; H.E. Albert M. Muchanga, Commissioner, African Union Commission; H.E. Mr. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General AfCFTA; Dr. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa; Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, ARSO Secretary General and Dr. Paulyne Wairimu,PPB, Kenya/AMDF.

Issues discussed ranged from country and regional partnerships on industrialization, the potential of the pharmaceutical industry in Africa, to health and the continent’s economic recovery beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussions exposed the impact of the local manufacturing of vaccines and drugs on Africa’s industrialization and on its recovery from the pandemic. Africa remaining one of the continents with genuine opportunities for growth in the pharmaceutical sector, the speakers called for more support and investsment to be channeled towards the industry; therefore encouraging governments and the business community to make use of the AfCFTA Agreement to facilitate trade and investment in the sector. Africa’s pharmaceutical industry is projected to be worth US$ 70 billion by 2030 thanks to its growing urban population, changing economic landscapes, climate-change-related challenges, increased healthcare spending and healthcare provision capacities.

Highlighting ITFC’s commitment to the harmonisation project and to health in Africa, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, ITFC CEO, said: “ITFC has always been committed to socio-economic projects with high impact in Africa and it is to primarily structure that commitment that we launched the Arab Africa Trade Bridge (AATB) Program under which the Harmonisation project is running. There is a lot of potential in the continent’s pharmaceutical and health sectors and we are poised to support strategic projects such as this that will go a long way to boost industrialization on the continent and play a crucial role in providing people with the needed health services and medicines they need. We are elated to be on this journey with ARSO, Afreximbank and BADEA and we are looking forward to seeing the long term impact of the project.”

Mr. Amr Kamel, EVP Afreximbank also stated: “Afreximbank has taken upon itself to support various aspects of quality infrastructure in Africa. In partnerhip with ARSO and the African Union, the Bank developed the African Quality Policy to harmonise automotive standards. Afreximbank is also supporting the development of African Quality Assurance Centres (AQACs) across the continent. AQAC is an initiative embarked by the Bank to address the key trade barrier of non-compliance with international trade standards and technical requirements for export markets. The initiative supports the emergence of internationally accredited canters for testing, inspection and certification services of “Made in Africa” products across the continent”.

Dr. Sidi Ould Tah Director General of BADEA speaking on behalf of the organization said: “To ease investment in and trade of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, the harmonization of standards and quality is a must and needs to happen as soon as possible to reap the potential benefits of the AfCFTA as substantiated across economic analysis. And BADEA reiterates its commitment to support this initiative along other partners.”

Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretary General of ARSO also stated: “The Standardisation principles of Transparency, Openness and Inclusivity of the WTO TBT Agreement, therefore, provides for ARSO, through the African Standards Harmonisation Model (ASHAM), to call upon all ARSO Member States to nominate Experts to develop and harmonise standards and Conformity Assessment systems in priority sectors and products of interests for Africa, in a more transparent and inclusive way. Currently, under its 15 priority Sectors, including Agriculture, Pharmaceutical, and Automotive, with 84 Technical Committees, altogether, ARSO has more than 800 Technical Experts nominated by National Standards Bureaus to participate in the standardardisation process.Implementation of Harmonised Standards is very key as those standard are referenced in Technical Regulations, on the other hand there is a need of mutual recognition with acceptability of the test results for conformity to establish the international standardisation principle of “one standard, one test, one certificate, accepted everywhere” for the consumers and producers and for facilitation of Trade.”

The roundtable concluded with the reiteration of stakeholders’ commitment to complete the harmonization process and invest more in health-centered projects on the continent within the AfCFTA framework.

END

About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided US$58 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.

Contact Us

Twitter: @ITFCCORP

Facebook: @ITFCCORP

LinkedIn: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)

Tel: +966 12 646 8337

Fax: +966 12 637 1064

E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org

About African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution with the mandate of financing and promoting intra-and extra-African trade. Afreximbank was established in October 1993 and owned by African governments, the African Development Bank, and other African multilateral financial institutions as well as African and non-African public and private investors. The Bank was established under two constitutive documents, an Agreement signed by member states, which confers on the Bank the status of an international organization, and a Charter signed by all Shareholders, which governs its corporate structure and operations.

Afreximbank deploys innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that are supporting the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby sustaining economic expansion in Africa. At the end of 2019, the Bank’s total assets and guarantees stood at USD$15.5 billion and its shareholders funds amounted to US$2.8 billion. Voted “African Bank of the Year” in 2019, the Bank disbursed more than US$31billion between 2016 and 2019. Afreximbank has ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A-), Moody’s (Baa1) and Fitch (BBB-). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. For more information, visit: www.afreximbank.com

About Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)

The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa- BADEA- is a multilateral development bank owned by eighteen (18) Arab countries, members of the League of Arab States (LAS). The Bank has been operational for the last 45 years with footprints in about 44 countries.

BADEA aims at promoting economic development in Africa and fostering cooperation between the beneficiary countries and the Arab World through investment and trade. To this end, BADEA’s operations revolve around four strategic pillars:

i) Infrastructure investment in energy.

ii) Private sector and trade financing.

iii) Agriculture value-chains.

iv) Entrepreneurship and SMEs. In addition, capacity development weighs in as a cross cutting pillar.

For more information, visit: www.badea.org.

About the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO)

The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) is Africas intergovernmental standards body formed by OAU (currently AU) and UNECA in 1977 in Accra Ghana. The fundamental mandate of ARSO is to develop tools for standards development, standards harmonization and implementation of these systems to enhance Africa’s internal trading capacity, increased Africas product and service competitiveness globally, and uplift of the welfare of African consumers as well as standardization forum for future prospects in international trade referencing.

For More Information – www.arso-oran.org