Kigali, Rwanda – On Monday, April 28, 2025, Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, hosted the opening of a two-day conference aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in accessing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through the promotion of quality standards. The event was organized by the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and brought together leaders of standards bodies, product inspectors, and SME representatives from six African countries.
Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretary General of ARSO, stated that the conference is part of a broader strategy to enhance trade among African countries by eliminating obstacles caused by differing quality standards.
“The African Quality Mark will help traders market their products across the continent without needing to seek additional certifications in each country. Once a product has this mark, it will no longer need repeated testing, as it will already be recognized at the continental level,” Dr. Nsengimana said.
In Rwanda, Jean Pierre Bajeneza, who leads the department responsible for issuing quality marks, explained that efforts are underway to train SMEs and service providers in over 4,500 quality standards. The initiative includes outreach to youth, women, people with disabilities, and small business owners to empower them with the skills needed to meet both local and international market expectations.
“Our goal is to help SMEs become more competitive in the African market by providing them with up-to-date knowledge so their products remain consistent in quality, packaging, and market presentation,” Bajeneza noted.
Rwanda had one of the largest delegations at the event, including entrepreneurs from honey, leather, and grain processing industries. Claudine Kampire, a representative of a small business, said that obtaining the African Quality Mark will make it easier to expand their trade operations across borders.
“We will no longer have to request separate quality approvals in each country we export to. This new system allows us to operate under a unified African standard, giving us better access to competitive markets,” said Kampire.
The conference brought together over 100 participants from six countries. It is one of several initiatives aimed at promoting small-scale trade across Africa through a harmonized quality assurance system, designed to facilitate seamless, reliable, and sustainable market access for SMEs across the continent.
