Kenya to Permanently Host ARSO Headquarters, Backs Common Certificate

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kenya has offered land for the construction of a permanent headquarters for the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) in Nairobi reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure and boosting intra-African trade.

Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki said the government would provide land for a purpose-built facility to give ARSO a permanent home, and strengthen its role in coordinating standardisation across the continent.

“We offer ARSO a permanent home from where they will operate. I already have an idea of where the parcel of land will be,” he said.

Speaking in Mombasa during the opening of the 32nd ARSO General Assembly, Prof Kindiki backed a common African certification system that would allow products tested and certified in one country to access other markets without repeated tests.

He said Africa’s market remains fragmented into 54 regulatory systems, creating barriers and raising the cost of doing business.

“This burden of duplicated tests is a burden to SMEs and for the take-off of Africa in wealth creation.”

Prof Kindiki supported the “One Standard — One Test — One Certificate, Accepted Everywhere” principle saying it would help eliminate duplication and make the African Continental Free Trade Area more effective.

Trade and Industry cabinet secretary Lee Kinyanjui said Africa must confront the barriers that continue to limit trade between countries.

He said the continent has about 40 borders and called for discussions aimed at dismantling barriers to movement of goods.

He noted that intra-African trade accounts for only 17 per cent, stressing that the survival of small and medium enterprises should remain central to the one-certification agenda.

Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) director general Esther Ngari said the common certificate would facilitate trade by building trust among African countries.

“The challenge is to make that trust. A product should not have multiple tests, a manufacturer should not have to repeatedly prove, when testing is already done,” she said.

“A border may separate two countries but standardisation should not. Standardisation should be an African shared responsibility.”

ARSO President Botsile Kebapetse said the “One Certificate Working for You” initiative would improve trade and help eradicate barriers facing African businesses.

National Standards Council chair Dr Chris Wamalwa said the initiative would open opportunities for Kenyan products to access more markets.

“As a council we will ensure KEBS gets the support it needs to adapt to new standardisation trends,” he said.

ARSO secretary general Dr Hermogene Nsengimana said the organisation was working to establish harmonised safety standards across Africa, but more financing and investment would be needed to strengthen the system.

“I am happy to announce that more than 350 products have already been certified under one certification, we have more than 200 SMEs,” Dr Nsengimana said.

International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) secretary general Sergio Mujica said standardisation was a collective responsibility requiring the commitment of all members.

Prof Kindiki said Kenya’s support for ARSO goes beyond providing land describing it as an investment in Africa’s institutional capacity.

He urged ARSO to make its 2027–2032 strategic plan more focused on reducing the cost of doing business, harmonising standards and supporting micro, small and medium enterprises.

He also called for stronger mutual recognition arrangements, promotion of Made in Africa products and elimination of redundant testing and border delays.

The DP further announced that Kenya would host the ISO Annual Meeting in Nairobi in 2028.

The five-day 32nd ARSO General Assembly in Mombasa has brought together standards experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss harmonisation of standards and ways of facilitating continental trade.