By Nkechi Eze
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s firm commitment to the vision of a harmonised African standardisation ecosystem that promotes intra-continental trade, protects consumers, and strengthens the industrial base of African economies.
Speaking during the 31st General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), currently underway in the scenic city of Zanzibar, Tanzania, the Director General SON Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke expressed delight at being part of a pivotal continental forum aimed at shaping the future of Africa’s trade and development through standardisation.
With delegates and stakeholders from across the continent in attendance, the annual General Assembly is a strategic platform for dialogue, policy alignment, and capacity-building among member states. It also provides an opportunity for participating countries to showcase progress made in their respective standardisation journeys while forging stronger partnerships for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Delivering Nigeria’s position, Dr. Okeke emphasized the central role of standardisation in the transformation of African trade. He reiterated that the focus of this year’s gathering, removing technical barriers to trade, promoting trust in the safety and quality of African goods and services, and strengthening regional integration aligns perfectly with SON’s core mandate and national priorities.
“As we deliberate with colleagues from across Africa, our focus remains clear: to remove technical trade barriers, promote intra-African commerce, and build trust in the quality and safety of African goods and services,” he said.
He further stressed that these efforts are not just lofty ideals, but actionable objectives that have tangible impacts on economic growth, job creation, consumer safety, and the competitiveness of African industries on the global stage.
Highlighting Nigeria’s domestic actions, Dr. Okeke reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering dedication to harmonising national standards with regional and international best practices, adding that SON is deepening partnerships and aligning with continental frameworks to ensure that Nigerian businesses benefit fully from the expanded trade opportunities offered by AfCFTA.
“At the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, we are fully committed to this vision, deepening partnerships, aligning with continental frameworks, and driving Nigeria’s active role in advancing harmonised standards that empower businesses and protect consumers,” he noted.
The overarching message from Nigeria’s delegation was one of collaboration, optimism, and urgency. The SON Director General called for collective action among African nations, urging that unity in standardisation is essential to unlocking the continent’s full economic potential.
“Together, we can build a stronger, more integrated Africa, one standard at a time,” he concluded.
The ARSO General Assembly continues throughout the week, with high-level discussions, technical sessions, and bilateral meetings aimed at enhancing regulatory coherence, capacity-building, and the operationalisation of the Pan-African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) to support the objectives of the AfCFTA.
As Africa seeks to create a single market that facilitates the free movement of goods, services, and people, platforms like ARSO remain crucial in shaping the continent’s industrial renaissance and ensuring that the “Made in Africa” label becomes synonymous with quality, safety, and excellence.
