State Department for Industry PS Juma Mukhwana has urged African countries to embrace internationally accepted measurement standards to unlock the continent’s economic potential.
Mukhwana said there was a need for African economies to standardise their products for intra-Africa trade to thrive and to tap into the global market.
“Accurate measurements are the cornerstone of quality infrastructure and have a profound impact on every aspect of our lives, from industry to innovation, commerce to conservation,” he said.
The PS spoke at a Nairobi hotel on Thursday while officially opening the 17th General Assembly of the Intra-Africa Metrology System- AFRIMETS.
The General Assembly, whose theme is “Measurement for Sustainability”, has attracted delegates from across the continent.
Mukhwana pointed out that despite having the youngest population and an abundance of raw materials, Africa still relied on foreign markets for the supply of 85 per cent of its manufactured products.
He said Africa needed to develop systems and policies around metrology that could supplement industrialisation for the continent to consume more of what it produces.
The PS emphasised the need for accurate and reliable measurements to accelerate and promote industrialisation and trade in Africa.
“As we develop these measurements, we need to ask ourselves one question, what difference will they make to our people,” he posed.
He underscored the importance of accurate measurement and monitoring for sustainable growth.
He pointed out that Africa's commodity-based economies, heavily reliant on extractives and agricultural exports, cannot thrive without a solid foundation of measurement.
Mukhwana was accompanied by National Standards Council member, Nyaboke Nyabonyi, and Kenya Bureau of Standards director of Quality Assurance and Inspection, Geoffrey Muriira.
The PS expressed optimism that AFRIMETS, through association with the Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI), the African Standards Organisation (ARSO), the Inter-African Cooperation for Accreditation (AFRAC), and the African Electrotechnical Standardisation Commission (AFSEC), could facilitate the international linkages to enhance a suitable environment for trade and sustainable development.
He also expressed Kenya’s commitment to measurements and said the country was enacting a National Quality Infrastructure policy to establish a legal framework to streamline and enhance the efficiency of the country’s national standardisation, metrology, and accreditation matters.
Muriira, who was representing the KEBS Managing Director, Esther Ngari, said the organization, as the custodian of the national quality standards, has a broad mandate of offering the most accurate measurements.
He highlighted the importance of accurate measurements in fostering sustainable development, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring environmental stewardship.