On 10th March 2025 at the ARSO Central Secretariat
The ARSO Secretary General, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana and the KENAS Chief Executive Officer, Dr Walter Ongeti, signed and Memorandum of Understanding as a further shared commitment to align the ARSO-KENAS cooperation with the internationally (ILAC, IAF) recognised principles to enhance credibility, trust and the acceptance of conformity assessment results within Africa and globally. This includes the promotion of conformity assessment in Africa through inclusion of ARSO conformity assessment Programme (ACAP) certification scheme as a scope under the KENAS product Certification accreditation scheme under ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC 17021-1 accreditation schemes, with KENAS accessing and accrediting Certification Bodies for the certification of firms under ACAP certification schemes. Dr. Nsengimana emphasised on the need for prompting Quality Culture in Africa and the competitiveness of the African SMEs and Made in Africa products, with their certification (and self-declaration of compliance), as an opportunity to benefit from the AfCFTA opportunities, including market access under the intra-African Trade. Dr. Nsengimana noted the immense opportunity for Africa under the Traditional Medicine, the edible insects for food (infant nutrition) and with regards to ARSO Madeon Africa Qualification Criteria, currently being considered for adoption by the African Union. Equally Dr. Nsengimana highlighted the need for the accreditation of the Private Sector Certification Bodies, to be involved in the process.
Dr Walter Ongeti emphasised on the role of KENAS in building trust among consumers and regulator on the safety and quality of products in value chains and the related Quality Infrastructure systems, through its accreditation services and the ARSO ACAP certification schemes provides opportunity for affordable certification schemes that would promote trust in the Made in African products and trade among African countries under the AfCFTA. Dr. Ongeti highlighted the forthcoming International Accreditation Conference a head of the International Accreditation Day of 9th June 2025, as opportunity for furthering discussions on the opportunities under AfCFTA for Africa and strategies for certifications and accreditation for African firms in order to promote intra-African Trade and consumers trust and confidence in African products, and also for Global Market access.
KENAS and ARSO has had a long history of cooperation including in accrediting the following Certification Bodies for the ARSO ACAP certification schemes:
• Zambia Bureau of Standards Certification Body (ZABS CB) – Completed and awarded on 25th November 2024, in Lusaka, Zambia.
• Kenya Bureau of Standards Certification Body (KEBS CB) – Under completion
• Agence des Normes et de la Qualité Certification Body (Cameroon – ANOR CB) – to be started, this month, March2025.