African Organisation for Standardisation

70th Joint ARSO Monthly Webinar - Unlocking the AfCFTA through Standardisation 🌍📊 How can harmonised standards and robust quality infrastructure accelerate regional integration and boost intra-African trade? Join the African Organisation for Standardisation - ARSO, in partnership with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), for our milestone 70th Monthly Webinar session. 📌 Topic: The African Integration Agenda and the AfCFTA: Opportunities for Effective Standardisation in Africa 🗓 Date: 28th October 2026 🕑 Time: 14:00 – 16:00 HRS EAT 🌐 Languages: English – French translation provided 📺 Stream: Zoom & AAU YouTube Page Key Discussions: 🔹 The roadmap from the Lagos Plan of Action to AU Agenda 2063 🔹 Intra-African trade, SME competitiveness, and national implementation (SABS perspective) 🔹 Overcoming Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) through REC harmonisation initiatives (ECOWAS experience) 🔹 Leveraging AfCFTA tools and national quality strategies (AfCFTA Secretariat) Distinguished Speakers & Panelists: • Host: Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana (SG, ARSO) • Co-Host: Dr. Sadhvir Bissoon (Head of Standards, SABS) • Moderator: Ms. Rorisang Comfort Masilela • Panel: Reuben Gisore (ARSO), Dineo Seroba (SABS), Midaye Koissi (ECOWAS), and Susanah Munyiri Ochieng (AfCFTA Secretariat) Secure your virtual seat today! 🔗 Register here tinyurl.com/arsointergrate

🌟 Thank You for Prioritizing Quality, Safety, and Standards Across Africa! 🌍✨ To all our consumers, partners, and community members—THANK YOU for engaging with us throughout our Consumer Awareness Campaign! 👏 Your questions, feedback, and active participation underscored a vital truth: An empowered consumer is the catalyst for a safer, quality-driven Africa. Together with our key partners—the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), the Pan-African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)—we are working to ensure that quality infrastructure directly protects consumer health, safety, and economic well-being across the continent. Together, we build the #AfricaWeWant! 🚀🌍 @nhermog @UNIDO @UNIDO_QI @_AfricanUnion

Driving Business Growth in Africa: ARSO at the Africa Prosperity 7 Conference! This week,(Oct 20–22),The African Organisation for Standardisation - @ARSO_1977 is on the ground in Monrovia, Liberia for the Africa Prosperity 7 conference, convened by the The Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) under the powerful theme: "Built for Business Growth in Africa." A key focus of the deliberations? Unpacking the reality of the #AfCFTA for African businesses—what’s working, what isn't, and what is preventing firms from fully tapping into the continental market. At the event, ARSO shared its perspective on the critical role of standardization within the #AfCFTA framework. We highlighted where harmonized standards are successfully easing cross-border trade, and where standards and conformity assessments still pose a binding constraint for businesses. Beyond the conference, ARSO took the opportunity to conduct targeted capacity-building sessions for the technical staff at the Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA). By deepening their understanding of ARSO's harmonized African standards, conformity assessments, and certification schemes, LiSA is now better equipped to implement these frameworks. This will play a vital role in supporting Liberian industries as they scale and access regional and continental markets under the AfCFTA. Standardization isn't just about compliance; it's the bridge to unlocking Africa's trade potential! #ARSO #AfCFTA #AfricaProsperity7 #Standardization #Liberia #IntraAfricaTrade #QualityInfrastructure #TradeInAfrica #PACCI @nhermog @afreximbank

🚀 Débloquer le commerce transfrontalier en Afrique grâce au Programme d’évaluation de la conformité d’ARSO (ACAP) ! L’Organisation africaine de normalisation (ARSO) organise une série de formations virtuelles GRATUITES en deux parties, conçue pour renforcer les capacités et former des formateurs sur l’ACAP à l’intention des organismes de certification (OC) et des organismes d’accréditation (OA). Acquérez une expertise pratique pour délivrer des certifications reconnues à l’échelle continentale qui facilitent un commerce transfrontalier fluide dans le cadre de la ZLECAf ! 📅 Calendrier de la formation (11h00 – 15h30 EAT) : Module 1 (Perspective de certification | ACAP 1-1 & 1-2) : 21 – 22 octobre 2026 Personne ressource : Mme Susan Munyiri (Secrétariat de la ZLECAf) Module 2 (Perspective d’accréditation | ACAP 1-3) : 28 – 29 octobre 2026 Personne ressource : M. Michael Talam (KENAS) 💡 Points forts : 🆓 Formation virtuelle 100 % gratuite 🌐 Interprétation simultanée en anglais et en français 📜 Options d'attestation de participation et de certificat de formation des formateurs disponibles 📲 Inscrivez-vous / Nominez des participants ici : tinyurl.com/acap2026training @nhermog

🚀 Unlocking Cross-Border Trade in Africa through the ARSO Conformity Assessment Programme (ACAP)! The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) is hosting a FREE two-part virtual training series designed to build capacity and train trainers on ACAP for Certification Bodies (CBs) and Accreditation Bodies (ABs).  Gain working-level expertise to deliver continentally recognized certifications that unlock seamless cross-border trade under the AfCFTA!  📅 Training Schedule (11:00 – 15:30 EAT):  Module 1 (Certification Perspective | ACAP 1-1 & 1-2): 21st – 22nd October 2026  Resource Person: Ms. Susan Munyiri (AfCFTA Secretariat)  Module 2 (Accreditation Perspective | ACAP 1-3): 28th – 29th October 2026  Resource Person: Mr. Michael Talam (KENAS)  💡 Key Highlights: 🆓 100% Free Virtual Training  🌐 Live English and French Interpretation  📜 Certificate of Participation & ToT Certificate options available  📲 Register / Nominate Here: tinyurl.com/acap2026training @nhermog

🌍 Happy World Standards Day 2026! 🌍 Today, 14th October 2026, the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) joins the global standardisation community in celebrating World Standards Day under the theme - ✨ "A Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy." This theme highlights the critical role of standards in driving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (Aspiration 1) for inclusive growth, sustainable development, and climate-resilient economies. ⚡ Targeting SDG 7 Goals by 2030: Universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services. A substantial increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. Doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. 🌍 Powering Africa’s Energy Future - ARSO aligns these efforts with the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), which aims to harness the continent’s vast renewable potential to generate at least 300 GW by 2030. Standards ensure energy systems, appliances, and digital power connections are safe, efficient, and seamlessly integrated. Beyond technical compliance, standards serve as strategic tools for industrialisation, consumer protection, market access, and policy implementation. 👏 Tribute to Our Experts - We extend our gratitude to the thousands of experts globally and across Africa who collaborate tirelessly to develop these essential benchmarks. Special recognition goes to the experts across over 100 ARSO Technical Committees—including ARSO/TC 71 (Energy Management and Energy Efficiency)—who work continuously to harmonise African Standards and conformity assessment systems. Together, we build a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future for Africa and the world! 💡🌱 #WorldStandardsDay @nhermog

🎥 RECAP - Regional Training Masterclass | The Food Establishment From world-class infrastructure to strict compliance, our masterclass trainees came together to elevate standards across the regional food sector! 🍽️✨ Here are the 4 Key Takeaways shared by our participants: 1️⃣ Infrastructure Powers Quality - A well-designed facility isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s the backbone of food safety, smooth workflow, and operational efficiency. 2️⃣ Service Excellence is Non-Negotiable - Great food gets customers through the door, but exceptional service and guest trust bring them back every time. 3️⃣ Regulatory Rigour Builds Trust - Compliance isn’t a hurdle; it’s a competitive advantage. Mastering food safety standards and regulations protects consumers and unlocks growth. 4️⃣ Integration is Everything - Success happens at the intersection of robust facilities, top-tier service delivery, and strict regulatory standards working in harmony. 💡 Standardisation in action across our region! 🌍 👇 Check out the video below to hear key insights directly from our trainees! #HappyWorldStandardsDay @nhermog @afreximbank @nadine_umutoni @GhanaStandards @kithDan

Today, 13th October 2026, the African Organisation for Standardisation - ARSO Central Secretariat played a host to a delegation of the Institute Of Trade Development comprising the professional trade and transport trainees representing key commercial, maritime, and cross-border regulatory bodies (The Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIT); The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC); The South Africa Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA)) across West and Southern Africa, a technical benchmarking session and briefing meeting, with the discussions focusing on the need and importance of a continent-wide harmonisation of standards, conformity assessment, and technical regulations (in such sectors as agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and automotive) under the #AfCFTA Annex 6 on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), to drive product compliance, mutual recognition, and trade expansion across African corridors and focused on boosting intra-African trade flows. The meeting highlighted the trade bottlenecks and the need to streamline border inspections and implementation of coherent regulatory frameworks to reduce compliance costs and delays for traders in the across the border trade. With the African regions, including #ECOWAS, #EAC, and #SADC. @nhermog

🔍 Audit vs. Inspection: What’s the Real Difference? In food safety, quality management, and regulatory compliance, the terms Audit and Inspection are often used interchangeably—but they serve very different purposes! Both tools are essential for maintaining high standards, ensuring safety, and driving continuous improvement! 🚀 ___________________ 🔍 Audit vs Inspection : Quelle est la vraie différence ? Dans les domaines de la sécurité sanitaire des aliments, de la gestion de la qualité et de la conformité réglementaire, les termes Audit et Inspection sont souvent utilisés de manière interchangeable — pourtant, ils répondent à des objectifs bien différents ! Ces deux outils sont essentiels pour maintenir des normes élevées, garantir la sécurité et favoriser l'amélioration continue ! 🚀 @nhermog @afreximbank

🌍 From Training to Action - Insights on Food Establishment Inspections! How do government inspectors ensure food safety, infrastructure standards, and service excellence across food business operations? 🍽️🔍 In this video explainer recap, trainees Gloria Asum-Kwateng and Chef Michael Quainoo from Ghana walk us through the practical step-by-step process of inspecting a Food Business Operator (FBO). This explainer builds directly on key learnings from last week’s Regional Training of Trainers (ToT) Masterclass: 👉 "The Food Establishment: Integrating Infrastructure, Service Excellence and Regulatory Rigour" Watch to learn how our trainers are taking masterclass learnings directly to the field to elevate food safety standards! 🚀 @nhermog @afreximbank @GhanaStandards @nadine_umutoni @AfCFTA

Insights from @AfCFTA Secretariat - Elevating Quality Standards for Intra-African Trade 🌍📜 As our Master Training for Trainer of Trainers in Accra draws to a close, we gained invaluable insights on the strategic impact of harmonized standards from Susanah Munyiri Ochieng, Senior Advisor – Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) | Trade in Goods and Competition - AfCFTA Secretariat. Susanah emphasized why this training is pivotal for the African Continental Free Trade Area: 🏛️ Breaking Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) 🤝 Strengthened Regional Alignment 📈 Driving Continental Competitiveness 🚀 Empowering Cascading Efforts @nhermog @nadine_umutoni @afreximbank @_AfricanUnion @kithDan @SMOchieng

Why Do We Need Harmonised Regulatory Inspection Across Africa? 🌍🍽️ As trade and tourism expand across our continent under the AfCFTA framework, ensuring food safety and service quality in eateries requires a unified approach. During our opening reflection session at the Master Training for Trainer of Trainers in Accra, delegates gathered to address a critical question: Why do we need harmonised regulatory inspection and audit systems for eateries across Africa? Key Takeaways from the Reflection: 🛡️ Consistent Consumer Protection - Standardising inspection criteria ensures that whether a guest dines in Accra, Nairobi, or Dakar, food safety and hygiene standards remain uncompromised. 🤝 Cross-Border Regulatory Alignment - Eliminating fragmented rules builds mutual trust among African national regulatory authorities, streamlining trade and compliance. 📈 Elevating Service Excellence - Clear, unified audit frameworks empower eatery operators to meet international benchmarks and enhance guest confidence. 🔄 Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing - Standardised protocols allow master trainers to cascade uniform inspection methodologies across all regions. 🎥👇 @nhermog @nadine_umutoni @AfCFTA @afreximbank @kithDan

RECAP: Day 3 – Focus on Public Health Inspection! 🔍🏥 Day 3 of the Master Training for Trainer of Trainers in Accra put the spotlight on public health standards and safety inspection! In a dedicated session led for our Équipe d’inspection de la santé publique (Public Health Inspection Team), master trainers engaged in intensive, hands-on training focused on risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Key Highlights from the Session: 📋 Standardized Inspection Protocol: Deep-dive into rigorous inspection frameworks to ensure consistent safety across facilities. ⚠️ Hazard & Critical Control Point Identification: Practical exercises on detecting foodborne risks, hygiene gaps, and environmental hazards before they affect the end user. 🤝 Peer Evaluations & Reporting: Collaborative group work analyzing audit scenarios and standardizing compliance reporting across borders. 🔄 Cascading Best Practices: Developing strategies to train local inspection units across regional jurisdictions effectively. A strong public health inspection framework is the backbone of service quality and community safety. Kudos to our expert participants for their active contributions and dedication! _______________________________ RÉCAPITULATIF : Journée 3 – Focus sur l'Équipe d’Inspection de la Santé Publique ! 🔍🏥 La 3ème journée de la Formation des Maîtres Formateurs de Formateurs à Accra a mis l'accent sur les normes de santé publique et l'inspection sanitaire ! Lors d'une session dédiée à l'Équipe d’inspection de la santé publique, nos maîtres formateurs se sont plongés dans des ateliers pratiques axés sur la gestion des risques, la conformité réglementaire et l'excellence opérationnelle. Points forts de la session : 📋 Protocole d'inspection harmonisé : Étude approfondie des cadres d'inspection pour garantir une sécurité constante. ⚠️ Identification des dangers et points critiques : Exercices pratiques sur la détection des risques sanitaires et des lacunes d'hygiène. 🤝 Évaluations et rapports : Travaux de groupe sur l'analyse de cas réels et la standardisation des rapports de conformité. Une équipe d'inspection rigoureuse est le pilier de la qualité des services et de la santé de tous ! Félicitations à nos experts pour leur engagement. @nhermog @afreximbank @GhanaStandards @nadine_umutoni @kithDan @AfCFTA

From Recipe to Plate - Crafting Safe, High-Quality Guest Experiences! 🍽️✨ How does a written standard transform into an unforgettable dining experience? Today at the Master Training for Trainer of Trainers in Accra, our participants explored the complete journey from recipe development to guest delivery! Guided by expert facilitation, our future master trainers rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on deep dive: 📝 Defining the Standard - Unpacking core recipe components and using them as control tools for consistent quality. 💬 Collaborative Discussion - Breaking into groups to dissect structure, measure consistency, and analyze standard operating procedures. ✍️ Drafting & Hazard Analysis - Building sample recipe cards from scratch while actively identifying potential allergens and food safety hazards to protect guest health. Watch the video to see our trainees in action as they turn theoretical concepts into practical excellence! 🎥👇 @nhermog @afreximbank @nadine_umutoni @kithDan @GhanaStandards

Day 3 in Action - Mastering Recipes, Allergen Control & Cost Metrics! 🍳📊 Master Training for Trainer of Trainers in Accra is packed with practical, hands-on learning! Led by expert facilitator Lenah Mogere, our participants transitioned from core concepts to real-world application. Master trainers shall build skills to cascade back to their home institutions! 🎥👇 @GhanaStandards @nhermog @nadine_umutoni @kithDan @AfCFTA

Did you know? African Standard ARS 1077 Emmental cheese — Specification This African Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for Emmental cheese intended for direct human consumption or for further processing. @nhermog

Communication Breakdown = Service Breakdown ⚠️ Small mistakes in how we share information can create massive gaps in how we deliver service. Miscommunication leads to delays, misunderstandings, and ultimate customer dissatisfaction. Precise communication isn't just about sharing information—it is the foundation of Service Excellence. 📌 RECAP: Day 2 – Master Training for Trainer of Trainers Yesterday, we took a deep dive into the direct connection between effective communication and seamless service delivery. Here are the core takeaways: The Ripple Effect of Small Errors: A simple oversight, unclear instruction, or missed detail during information handover can disrupt an entire service delivery chain. Communication as a Service Tool: Service excellence isn't just about what we deliver, but how clearly, accurately, and empathetically we communicate with clients and team members. Active Listening & Clarity: High-impact service requires active listening, eliminating assumptions, and verifying information before taking action. Cascading the Message: As Master Trainers, our responsibility is to model precision, clarity, and consistency so these standards ripple across our teams and regional trainings. Key Takeaway: "Service Excellence begins with Communication Excellence. Measure twice, communicate once, and deliver seamlessly." @nhermog @afreximbank @nadine_umutoni @kithDan @GhanaStandards @AfCFTA

Turning Operational Crisis into Customer Loyalty - The 'Walked' Guest Masterclass Role-Play 🎭🏨 It’s 11:30 PM. The hotel is sitting at 102% occupancy. Corporate client Mr. Kato arrives after a long flight, needing rest before his 7:00 AM board meeting—only to find his room unavailable. How does a front-office leader turn a potential disaster into a masterclass in service recovery? During Day 2 of our Regional ToT Masterclass in Accra, lead trainer Ayub Kato guided delegates through the S.T.A.R.S Recovery Model in an interactive role-play scenario. The Golden Rules of Front Office Excellence: Physical Empathy - Step out from behind the high front desk barrier. De-escalation - Lower your tone, lean in, and make direct eye contact. Proactive Ownership - "Mr. Kato, I sincerely apologize. Our Executive Suite at our sister property 4 minutes away is ready for you. Your car is waiting now, and our driver will collect you at 6:30 AM. May I accompany you there personally?" Watch our Master Trainers practice this high-pressure simulation as they prepare to step down world-class service standards across Africa! 📹👇 @nhermog @afreximbank @GhanaStandards @nadine_umutoni @kithDan

Unlocking Seamless Cross-Border Tourism - "One Standard, One Certificate, Accepted Everywhere" 🏨🌍 During Day 2 of our Regional ToT Masterclass in Accra, lead facilitator Ayub Kato took our delegates through Service Leadership, Front Office Excellence, and the S.T.A.R.S. Framework. A central theme of the session was driving hospitality quality across Africa through the principle of “One Standard, One Certificate, Accepted Everywhere.” When guest service, room standards, MICE operations, and food & beverage service meet a harmonised continental benchmark, certification gains instant trust across borders. This eliminates conflicting national requirements, elevates the guest experience, and empowers African hospitality brands to scale seamlessly under the AfCFTA. Watch Ayub Kato break down why harmonised quality assurance is the key to transforming African hospitality! 📹👇 @afreximbank @nhermog @nadine_umutoni @GhanaStandards @kithDan