Rwanda is hosting a high-level meeting of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), bringing together standards experts from 15 African countries to harmonise 26 quality standards related to textile products used across the continent.
The goal? One common African standard for textiles — so businesses can trade more easily, cut costs, and avoid repetitive laboratory testing when exporting goods to other African markets.
Currently, different countries apply different standards, forcing manufacturers to pay for multiple product tests before their goods are accepted abroad. Officials say aligning standards under a single continental framework will significantly reduce laboratory expenses and speed up cross-border trade.
An official from Eswatini attending the meeting said the country has a growing textile industry, with many products exported, particularly to the European Union market. However, one of the biggest challenges remains limited laboratory capacity to conduct quality testing locally, which often delays product certification.
ARSO Secretary General Hermogene Nsengimana said Rwanda is among the leading countries championing the harmonisation of standards, particularly in textiles, footwear and related industries.
He explained that once a product complies with ARSO standards, no other African country should reject it within the framework of the continental free market. Using a shared standard eliminates doubts about equivalence and allows goods to circulate more freely across borders.
According to Nsengimana, the broader ambition is to strengthen intra-African trade in locally made products.
He noted that Africa still imports large volumes of clothing and footwear from outside the continent. By ensuring that locally manufactured products meet unified quality standards, African consumers can confidently buy goods made within Africa — and manufacturers can access wider markets without facing duplicate inspections.
The Head of Standards Development at the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), Gatera Emmanuel, said Rwanda has already aligned many of its national standards with continental frameworks to lower costs for businesses.
He explained that harmonised standards act as a common language in trade. If a garment is manufactured and tested in Rwanda under the agreed African standard, it should not require additional quality checks upon entering another African country — a process that often increases costs and slows down exporters.
Rwanda has made notable progress, with more than 40 local companies already certified under African standards. This certification strengthens their competitiveness and opens doors to wider continental markets.
Following the four-day meeting, over 40 Rwandan companies that have met African standards will receive certification. Rwanda will also sign mutual recognition agreements with Congo Brazzaville, Zambia and Zimbabwe, allowing products to enter those markets without undergoing additional quality inspections.
Officials believe the harmonisation drive marks a major step toward deeper economic integration, reduced trade barriers and stronger “Made in Africa” value chains across the continent.
GABRIEL UZABAKIRIHO / KIGALI TIMES