African Accreditation Cooperation AFRAC

10/02/2025

As we near the IAF/ILAC Communications Network meetings scheduled for 11 and 13 February 2025, we anticipate insightful discussions on communication plans across Regional Accreditation Groups (RAGs), recent activities, and fresh ideas for ILAC/IAF communications. These engagements are critical for strengthening global collaboration and enhancing communication strategies within the accreditation ecosystem.

In preparation for the meeting, we share an insightful article by Mr. Marcus Long, Chair of the IAF Communications and Marketing Committee, highlighting the committee's priority areas and strategic focus.

Find attached for your reading. https://iaf.news/2025/01/28/driving-iafs-impact-key-communication-goals-for-2025/

In 2025, the IAF Communications and Marketing Committee aims to focus on three main priorities.

29/01/2025

🌍 Strengthening Quality Infrastructure in Côte d’Ivoire: The Role of SOAC-WAAS

Since its establishment in 2005, the West African Accreditation System (SOAC-WAAS) has been a game-changer in advancing accreditation in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond. Once a weak link, accreditation now drives excellence in sectors such as tourism, IT security, transport, and the digital economy, creating new opportunities for service standardization and economic growth.

🔍 Learn more about how Soac_waas is transforming industrialization in West Africa through services in the latest IAF Outlook article:

https://iaf.news/2025/01/28/rethinking-industrialization-through-services-the-role-of-the-west-african-accreditation-system/

Kenya Accreditation Service Nigeria National Accreditation System South African National Accreditation System Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك SADC Accreditation Service-SADCAS EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service

In Côte d’Ivoire, significant progress has been noted in terms of quality infrastructure, particularly in the area of accreditation.

21/01/2025

Congratulations Kenya Accreditation Service for accrediting 's first fully paperless system with Total Lab Automation to .

The outstanding benefit of accreditation is confidence—it assures stakeholders that accredited organizations consistently deliver competent, reliable, and internationally recognized services.



Nigeria National Accreditation System Soac_waas South African National Accreditation System EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك

🌟 KENAS in the News! 🌟

We've accredited Dkl DrKalebi Labs to ISO 15189:2022, recognizing it as a competent medical testing laboratory. This remarkable achievement makes DKL the first medical laboratory in Africa to adopt Total Lab Automation (TLA) and operate a fully paperless system while meeting the globally recognized ISO 15189 standards.

We commend Dr. Kalebi Labs for its disruptive and intentional approach to quality in healthcare and for setting a benchmark in medical testing that aligns with global standards.

At KENAS, we continue to by fostering excellence in accreditation, ensuring our clients’ services contribute to better health outcomes.

Trade, Investment and Industry. Dr. Walter Ongeti African Accreditation Cooperation AFRAC Nigeria National Accreditation System Soac_waas South African National Accreditation System SADC Accreditation Service-SADCAS EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك

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17/01/2025

📢 AFRAC & SADCA successfully concluded a two-day Joint Training on the Peer Evaluation Process and the role of Task Force Groups in reviewing evaluation reports and decision-making. 💡

Peer evaluation is vital for ensuring that regional accreditation bodies like AFRAC remain globally recognized and aligned with international standards. Through ongoing capacity-building efforts, we empower our evaluators to enhance the quality and credibility of Africa’s accreditation systems. 🌍

15/01/2025

🌟 Congratulations, Ms. Pinkie Malebe! 🌟

We are delighted to introduce Ms. Pinkie Malebe, the Technical Manager at SADCAS, who was elected as the Vice Chair of the AFRAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Committee during the 2024 AFRAC General Assembly and Meetings held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The MRA Committee plays a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity and global recognition of accreditation across Africa. By overseeing peer evaluations, fostering cooperation among accreditation bodies, and upholding international standards, the MRA Committee strengthens trust in conformity assessment, enabling seamless trade and compliance.

As Vice Chair, Ms. Malebe brings her expertise and leadership to advance the committee’s objectives and promote quality infrastructure across the region.

👏 Join us in congratulating Ms. Malebe on this achievement and wishing her great success in her new role!



South African National Accreditation System Kenya Accreditation Service Nigeria National Accreditation System Soac_waas EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك

24/12/2024

🎉🌟 Happy Holidays from AFRAC! 🌟🎉

As we close another impactful year of advancing accreditation across Africa, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, stakeholders, and members for your unwavering support and collaboration.

✨ Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for 2025! ✨

10/12/2024

Dr. Ron Josias Facilitates Key Session at KENAS-BSI Workshop on Accreditation and Inspection

Today, Dr. Ron Josias, a Senior Expert at the British Standards Institution (BSI), led an impactful session during Day 1 of the 3-day workshop on the Sustainable Operation of Inspection Bodies and Laboratories and the Role of Accreditation, organized by KENAS and sponsored by BSI’s Standards Partnership Program.

🎯 Key Topics Discussed:
✔️ Delivering trusted inspection results.
✔️ Defining the scope of inspection and its significance in public and private sectors.
✔️ The importance of reliable professional judgment and impartiality.
✔️ How international standards elevate the credibility of inspection.
✔️ The role of accreditation in helping inspection bodies independently confirm their competence.
✔️ Embracing technological advancements and understanding their impact on inspection results.

The session also featured an engaging brainstorming discussion on key considerations when integrating technology into inspection processes, sparking innovative ideas for the future of the industry.

This workshop, officially opened by a representative from Kenya's Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, underscores the vital role accreditation plays in enhancing trust, reliability, and transparency in global markets.

Stay tuned for more updates from this transformative event! 🚀



Kenya Accreditation Service Nigeria National Accreditation System EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service Soac_waas South African National Accreditation System

13/11/2024

🌍 Important Update in Global Accreditation: Establishment of the Global Accreditation Cooperation (GLOBAC) 🌍

AFRAC is excited to share the latest development in the world of accreditation! The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) are joining forces to form a single organization: the Global Accreditation Cooperation (GLOBAC). Set to replace IAF and ILAC, GLOBAC will streamline and strengthen the global accreditation framework across management systems, laboratories, inspection, certification, and beyond.

🎯 Transition Timeline
GLOBAC is expected to become fully operational by January 2026. More details on the transition process will be shared by April 2025.

📄 Implications for Regulatory & Specification Bodies
For regulators and specifiers, GLOBAC’s establishment marks a crucial step forward in harmonizing and facilitating the recognition of accredited conformity assessment results globally.

📩 Stay Informed
For further information, please refer to the attached document. Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the GLOBAC Secretary at [email protected].



Nigeria National Accreditation System Kenya Accreditation Service South African National Accreditation System Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service Soac_waas

12/11/2024

📢 Strengthening Global Accreditation Collaboration!

We’re pleased to announce the recent signing of the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) and the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC). The MOU was signed by AFRAC Chairperson, Mr. Celestine Okanya and IAAC Chairperson, Ms. Andrea Melo, marking a continued commitment to global standards and cooperation.

MOUs like this one are essential for continental bodies like AFRAC and IAAC, enhancing cross-border accreditation efforts and fostering mutual recognition. Through such partnerships, AFRAC and IAAC play a critical role in reducing technical barriers to trade, ensuring that accredited bodies meet globally recognized standards.

Together, we are building trust, promoting quality, and advancing international trade. 🌍💼

11/11/2024

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) institutions – AFRAC, AFSEC, AFRIMETS, and ARSO – have signed an MOU to strengthen collaboration. This historic ceremony, held at the African Union Commission HQ in Addis Ababa, marked a major step forward for quality standards and seamless trade across the continent.

Represented by Chairperson Mr. Celestine Okanya, AFRAC highlighted the importance of this MOU in advancing Africa’s accreditation efforts and enabling smoother intra-African trade by ensuring that accredited services and products meet global standards. This ultimately reduces of technical barriers to trade across Africa.

🤝 Together, we are paving the way for an integrated Africa through unified quality and compliance standards!



South African National Accreditation System Nigeria National Accreditation System Kenya Accreditation Service EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service SADC Accreditation Service-SADCAS Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك

11/10/2024

🌍 AFRAC at !

Today, AFRAC MRA Council Chairperson, Ms. Susannah M Ochieng, joined the conversation as a panelist at the second edition of the AfCFTA Business Forum, branded Biashara Afrika 2024 ( ), held at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village.

She shared valuable insights on the benefits of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for the acceptance and recognition of conformity assessment results within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This agreement is crucial in breaking down trade barriers and enhancing the seamless movement of goods and services across African markets.

Together, we are building a future where mutual recognition drives growth and collaboration across the continent! 🌍🤝



African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat African Union

30/09/2024

Congratulations to Mpo Phaloane, Executive: Accreditation at South African National Accreditation System, on being elected as the AFRAC (African Accreditation Cooperation) Vice Chairperson during the 15th AFRAC General Assembly! 🎉

Your dedication to advancing accreditation and fostering regional cooperation continues to inspire and strengthen our collective efforts in ensuring global standards. We look forward to your leadership in this new role and the impact it will have on AFRAC's future.

Here's to even greater achievements! 🌍



Kenya Accreditation Service Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك Soac_waas EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service SADC Accreditation Service-SADCAS

26/09/2024

🎉 Congratulations to Mr. Celestine Okanya 🎉

We proudly introduce Mr. Celestine Okanya, Director General of Nigeria National Accreditation System, as the new African Accreditation Cooperation AFRAC Chairperson elected during the 15th AFRAC General Assembly! 👏

As a leader in the accreditation space, we look forward to his visionary leadership in promoting trust, enhancing trade, and driving quality across the continent. 🌍



Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك Kenya Accreditation Service EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service South African National Accreditation System African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO)

25/09/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Susan Munyiri, Hany El Desouki, Dawit Fekadu, Asantewaa Krobea Opuni, Sexaa Ayetu, Mueni Mengo

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community, fans

25/09/2024

🌍 A Heartfelt Thank You to All Participants of the 15th AFRAC GA and Meetings! 🎉

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who took part in making the 15th AFRAC General Assembly and Meetings in South Africa a tremendous success! 🙌 Your dedication and collaboration are driving forces behind our shared mission to enhance accreditation across Africa.

As intra-Africa trade continues to grow, the role of AFRAC and accreditation becomes even more critical. Accreditation ensures that products and services meet trusted standards of quality, safety, and health, which in turn reduces technical barriers to trade. By promoting mutual recognition, AFRAC is laying the foundation for seamless trade across the continent. 🌟

Together, we are working toward a future where Africa trades confidently within itself, fostering greater economic integration and unlocking boundless opportunities.

Looking forward to even more impactful days ahead!



Kenya Accreditation Service Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك Soac_waas SADC Accreditation Service-SADCAS Nigeria National Accreditation System EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service

25/09/2024

🌍 Accreditation and Trade: Paving the Way for Africa’s Future! 📰

We are excited to share an insightful Op-Ed by KENAS CEO, Dr. Walter Ongeti, which highlights the critical role of accreditation in breaking down technical barriers to trade and fostering trust in products and services across Africa! This timely article comes just days after the successful conclusion of the 15th AFRAC General Assembly and Meetings in South Africa.

As AFRAC, we are proud to champion initiatives that promote intra-Africa trade by reducing technical barriers and ensuring mutual recognition of accredited services. Through our collective efforts, we envision a future where African nations can trade seamlessly among themselves, leading to greater economic integration and prosperity across the continent.

Together with our partners like KENAS, we are committed to creating a stronger, more interconnected Africa by promoting quality, safety, and health standards across all industries. 🌟

Let’s build an Africa that thrives on shared trade, mutual recognition, and trusted quality standards!

Kenya Accreditation Service Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك South African National Accreditation System Soac_waas EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service SADC Accreditation Service-SADCAS

📰 Accreditation: The Key to Unlocking Intra-Africa Trade! 🌍

In an insightful Op-Ed featured on page 11 of People Daily, our CEO, Dr. Walter Ongeti emphasized the critical role accreditation plays in ensuring that goods and services meet essential safety, health, and quality standards. This is especially vital for breaking down technical barriers to trade, one of the greatest challenges to intra-Africa trade.

At KENAS, we believe that accreditation fosters trust in products and services, facilitating easier market access and ensuring regulatory compliance. 🌟 As highlighted in the recently concluded 15th AFRAC General Assembly and Meetings in South Africa, our participation underscores our commitment to enhancing regional and global trade through accreditation and mutual recognition.

Read the full Op-Ed today to learn more about KENAS’s ongoing contributions to Africa’s accreditation landscape!

Trade, Investment and Industry. African Accreditation Cooperation AFRAC Juma Mukhwana

23/09/2024

The 15th AFRAC General Assembly Gala Dinner was a spectacular evening filled with celebration and inspiration! Hosted by accomplished journalist and South African Broadcasting Corporation News anchor, Mr. Peter Ndoro, the event featured the soulful vocals of Surprise Malanga and her band, providing vibrant entertainment.

Guests were treated to speeches from the outgoing and incoming AFRAC Chairpersons, recognizing the progress and milestones of the past year. The incoming AFRAC Chairperson Mr. Celestine Okanya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged to work diligently alongside fellow members to elevate AFRAC to new heights. He also extended heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing Chairperson Ronald Josias (Dr) for his deliberate mentorship and the trust placed in him, acknowledging the strong foundation built during his tenure. The speech captured the spirit of unity, collaboration, and commitment to advancing African accreditation.

Certificates were presented to Accreditation Bodies (ABs) who extended their scopes, including those who collaborated to mentor upcoming ABs, demonstrating the power of partnership and growth within the accreditation community. Collaboration, mentoring, and internship opportunities among Accreditation Bodies (ABs) are crucial for building a stronger and more unified accreditation system across Africa. By working together, ABs can address regional challenges, reduce technical trade barriers, and promote mutual recognition of accredited services.

A heartfelt thanks to the host AB's CEO for a successful close to an impactful General Assembly!



Kenya Accreditation Service Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك Soac_waas South African National Accreditation System Nigeria National Accreditation System SADC Accreditation Service-SADCAS EAS-Ethiopian Accreditation Service Egyptian Accreditation Council, EGAC - Offical Page إيجاك

20/09/2024

At the 15th AFRAC GA in Johannesburg, South Africa, AFRAC Treasurer Mr. Steve Sidney from SRLA delivered the Treasurer’s Report for the past three years, highlighting the financial status and providing projections for the coming year.

Sound financial sustainability is crucial for AFRAC’s ability to continuously support its accreditation activities, facilitate capacity building, and maintain the Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) that enhance Africa's trade and quality infrastructure.

A financially stable AFRAC ensures that African Accreditation Bodies can thrive and contribute to global market access.