Kenya to lead Africa's push to harmonise education and qualifications

Kenya has been appointed to chair the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) Network, a step toward unifying education and qualification standards across Africa.

The appointment, announced this week, recognises Kenya’s work in implementing the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF) and places the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) at the centre of efforts to improve comparability, recognition and quality assurance of skills and academic qualifications.

KNQA Chief Executive Officer Dr Alice Kande, who will head the ACQF Network, said Kenya’s leadership role follows years of reform in education quality assurance.

“KNQA is advancing the government’s agenda and meeting Kenya’s commitment to the African Union by participating in the creation and implementation of the continental qualifications framework,” Dr Kande said, adding, “This aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.”

The ACQF is set to support the movement of learners and workers across borders, strengthen employability and promote lifelong learning to help build a skilled workforce for Africa’s economic growth.

By enabling recognition of qualifications and aligning national systems, the ACQF aims to standardise education systems and promote coherence across member states.

“Kenya has been selected for its work on the KNQF. We are contributing to a system that supports economic growth through recognised human capital,” Dr Kande said.

Joining Dr Kande in the ACQF Troika leadership are Nadia Starr, CEO of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and Mercy Ngoma, Director General of the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

The ACQF is expected to align national qualifications frameworks across African Union member states and ensure skills meet labour market needs.