Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Africa's quality infrastructure and boosting intra-African trade following a high-level visit by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Director for Metrology and Testing, Dr. Henry Rotich, to Côte d'Ivoire's National Laboratory for Testing, Quality, Metrology and Analysis (LANEMA).

Dr. Rotich, who also serves as President of the Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) and Chairman of the Pan-African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI), paid a courtesy call on LANEMA Director General Prof. Koné Mawa in Abidjan as part of ongoing efforts to deepen continental collaboration in quality assurance and metrology.

The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships aimed at improving measurement standards, laboratory testing, accreditation, and technical cooperation across Africa. The leaders emphasized that strong quality infrastructure is essential for enhancing industrial competitiveness, protecting consumers, and facilitating seamless trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Rotich noted that harmonized quality systems are fundamental to Africa's industrial transformation and economic integration.

He said collaboration between KEBS, LANEMA, AFRIMETS, and PAQI demonstrates the continent's collective commitment to building reliable measurement systems that support trade, innovation, and sustainable development in line with the African Union's Agenda 2063.

The discussions also explored opportunities for capacity building, exchange of technical expertise, and mutual recognition of testing and calibration results to reduce technical barriers that often hinder trade among African nations.

Officials noted that enhanced cooperation between national quality institutions will help manufacturers access wider regional markets while ensuring products comply with both domestic and international standards.

LANEMA, Côte d'Ivoire's national institution responsible for testing, quality assurance, metrology, and analysis, plays a critical role in ensuring products manufactured in the country meet global quality requirements.

The engagement is expected to pave the way for closer collaboration between KEBS and LANEMA in laboratory testing, metrology traceability, research, and professional training, further strengthening Africa's quality infrastructure and supporting the successful implementation of the AfCFTA.

The visit highlights Kenya's growing leadership role in advancing continental quality systems and promoting standards that facilitate trade, industrial growth, and economic integration across Africa.