Africa coming of age in standardisation :: Mmegi Online

With the world having talked the language of standards in the past century only now is Africa grappling with its teething stage in the industry. The Botswana Bureau of Standards recently introduced a committee that will ensure Botswana participates in the formation of international electro-technical standards. Mmegi correspondent, KEIKANTSE LESEMELA, meets Kenyan-based African Electro-technical Standardisation Commission (AFSEC), Executive Director, Paul Johnson as he unfolds the benefits of Botswana’s participation in the International Electro-technical Standards (IEC).

Mmegi : Please explain in detail the mandate of your organisation (AFSEC)?

Johnson: African Electro-technical Standardisation Commission (AFSEC) was established in 2008 after the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) decided to expand its electro-technical standardisation scope. The framework for agreement on technical standards in developed countries was established during the first half of the 20th Century. In contrast in Africa, the infrastructure to co-operate on electro technical standards has yet to develop at a continental level. With the exception of a few countries, there has been little or no infrastructure established for standards to be reviewed and updated to be in line with progress in international standardisation.

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