On October 9, 2025, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) signed a new agreement known as the Kigali Agreement, aimed at enhancing cooperation in the harmonization of standards and increasing the use of international standards across the African continent.
This agreement comes at a time when Africa is progressing in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to promote trade among its member countries. Harmonizing standards is one of the key requirements to facilitate smooth trade without quality-related concerns between countries.
Through the ISO-ARSO partnership, this five-year initiative will focus on aligning work plans for standards development, supporting countries in selecting and using internationally harmonized standards, and reducing technical barriers caused by differing national standards.
The Kigali Agreement was designed not based on existing models from other continents, but by focusing on the specific needs and realities of Africa. It will also be implemented alongside ISO’s program to support developing countries in strengthening their standardization systems and planning.
The decisions under this agreement were announced during the ISO General Assembly held in Kigali, hosted by the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), where participants from various countries discussed the role of standards in sustainable development.
On the ARSO side, the agreement provides a platform to work jointly with its member states to broaden the approach to harmonization of standards and related guidelines, which will contribute to the effective implementation of the continental free trade agenda.
Promoting harmonized standards will help boost industrial productivity, ease cross-border trade, and increase the ability of African countries to access international markets.
