Federal Government certifies 131 firms under African quality mark

The Federal Government has certified 131 Nigerian companies under the African Quality Mark (AQM) scheme, a continental certification programme designed to strengthen the competitiveness of locally manufactured products and expand market access across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The certification, which covers 220 Made-in-Nigeria products, was presented during an award ceremony in Abuja organised by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO). The initiative is aimed at promoting compliance with harmonised African standards while enhancing the credibility and acceptance of Nigerian products in regional markets.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the certification reflects the growing capacity of Nigerian industries to meet continental standards and compete effectively within Africa’s evolving economic landscape. She noted that the achievement demonstrates the increasing emphasis Nigerian manufacturers are placing on quality, innovation and industrial competitiveness.

According to the minister, the Federal Government remains committed to policies that encourage industrial expansion, export growth, local value addition and increased participation of Nigerian businesses in regional and global markets. She explained that as the implementation of AfCFTA gains momentum, quality assurance and standards compliance will become even more critical for businesses seeking to benefit from expanded continental trade opportunities.

Oduwole stated that Africa must move beyond fragmented markets toward a more integrated and competitive economic system capable of supporting sustainable development and shared prosperity. She stressed that access to larger markets alone would not guarantee success, adding that businesses must consistently deliver products that satisfy consumer expectations and meet established safety, reliability and performance standards.

She described the African Quality Mark as a powerful symbol of trust that assures consumers and trading partners that certified products comply with harmonised African standards. According to her, the certification provides manufacturers with greater visibility, credibility and acceptance across the continent while opening new opportunities for trade and investment.

The Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, described the certification as a practical demonstration of compliance with harmonised African standards and an important step toward improving Nigeria’s export competitiveness. He explained that one of the major challenges facing manufacturers across Africa has been the existence of multiple standards and certification requirements in different countries, which often create barriers to trade.

According to Okeke, the African Quality Mark helps address these challenges by providing a unified framework for production, conformity assessment and market acceptance. He noted that products carrying the certification enjoy wider recognition across participating African countries, making it easier for companies to access new markets and expand their operations beyond national borders.

The SON chief added that the organisation has intensified awareness campaigns among manufacturers to encourage compliance with harmonised African standards. He said such compliance has become a strategic requirement for export readiness and regional market participation, particularly as AfCFTA continues to create opportunities for increased intra-African trade.

The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, emphasised the importance of standards in facilitating trade across the continent. He explained that trade agreements alone are insufficient to guarantee market access if products fail to meet accepted quality and safety requirements. According to him, standards help build confidence among consumers and businesses while ensuring that products can move more freely across borders.

Nsengimana noted that products certified under the African Quality Mark benefit from a level of credibility that enhances their acceptance throughout Africa. He added that the certification effectively opens access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people, creating significant opportunities for manufacturers willing to invest in quality improvement and standards compliance.

Industry stakeholders described the certification programme as a major boost for Nigeria’s industrial sector and export ambitions. Analysts noted that quality certification has become increasingly important in global trade, particularly as consumers and regulators demand greater assurance regarding product safety, performance and reliability. By obtaining the African Quality Mark, Nigerian manufacturers are expected to strengthen their competitiveness and improve their ability to participate in regional value chains.

The Federal Government said it would continue to strengthen Nigeria’s quality infrastructure through standards development, testing, inspection, certification, accreditation and metrology services. These measures, officials noted, are essential for industrialisation, consumer protection and export growth.

With 131 companies and 220 products now certified under the African Quality Mark programme, Nigeria has further positioned itself to take advantage of opportunities created by AfCFTA. Stakeholders believe the achievement will encourage more manufacturers to adopt internationally recognised quality standards, increase production and expand their footprint across African markets.