Africa has both the capacity and expertise to meet international standards, President of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), Professor Alex Dodoo, has declared\.
Speaking at a high-level panel discussion on the sidelines of the 31st ARSO General Assembly in Zanzibar, Tanzania, he dismissed notions that African nations struggled to comply with global benchmarks.
"The narrative that Africa cannot meet international standards is false and must be rejected," he stated.
"We have the technical expertise, the institutional frameworks, and most importantly, the political will to achieve full compliance," Prof. Dodoo said.
The ARSO President pointed to several African countries that have successfully implemented international standards in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
"From Kenya's flower exports meeting EU standards to South Africa's automotive industry complying with global benchmarks, we have numerous success stories," Prof. Dodoo stated.
Panel
The panel discussion, moderated by ARSO Secretary-General, Dr Hermogene Nsengimana, explored how African nations could leverage international standards to boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Participants examined strategies for harmonising national standards with international requirements, while maintaining local relevance.
The First Vice-President of Zanzibar, Othman Masoud Othman Sharif, who opened the assembly, emphasised that standardisation was not about copying foreign models, but about adapting global best practices to unique African context.
Publications
ARSO launched seven new publications during the event, including practical guides for implementing international standards in emerging sectors such as edible insect farming.
“These resources aim to support African businesses in meeting global requirements while maintaining competitive advantages”.
Prof. Dodoo called for increased investment in Africa's standardisation infrastructure, including testing laboratories and certification bodies.
"With proper resources and capacity building, every African nation cannot only meet but exceed international standards," he said.
He emphasised that adopting international standards was crucial for ensuring fair and just trade across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The assembly continues with technical sessions on standardisation strategies for key economic sectors, reinforcing Africa's commitment to quality and global competitiveness.
Prof. Dodoo, who is also the Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), argued that alignment with globally recognised standards would create a level playing field for all African nations participating in the continental free trade agreement.
"To achieve truly equitable trade under AfCFTA, we must embrace international standards that ensure quality, safety and interoperability," Prof. Dodoo told delegates.
"This is not about compromising our sovereignty, but about positioning African products to compete effectively in global markets while facilitating seamless intra-African trade," he added.
Prof. Dodoo said African industries could meet international standards no matter what it took and were capable of delivering the same value globally recognised.
Prof. Dodoo urged African governments to prioritise the adoption of international standards, noting that "when our products meet global benchmarks, we not only gain access to international markets but also build consumer confidence in our own continental market.”
