The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is urging firms to integrate quality controls into daily operations as they target regional and continental markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari emphasized that companies must regularly review systems, products and services to stay competitive as market requirements evolve.

Ngari added that the Kenya Quality Awards should motivate organisations to go beyond the standards that earned them accolades, making continuous improvement a core operational focus.

Deputy Head of Public Service Amos Njoroge Gathecha highlighted that effective quality systems protect consumers and give compliant Kenyan enterprises a fair chance to compete.

AfCFTA drives push for harmonised standards

The call for stronger standards coincides with African nations working to reduce technical barriers to trade under AfCFTA, aiming to ease product movement across borders.

In August, delegates from more than 40 countries gathered in Mombasa to advocate for harmonised standards and quality‑control systems to facilitate intra‑African trade.

How businesses can meet the new expectations

KEBS advises firms to use its conformity assessment services, which certify that products meet Kenyan standards or approved specifications, thereby boosting buyer confidence in export markets.

The pre‑export verification programme requires goods to comply with applicable standards before leaving Kenya, helping firms access international buyers.

The Kenya Quality Awards continue to recognise organisations with strong quality‑management practices, encouraging benchmarking and sustained competitiveness.

This year’s awards highlighted the Capital Markets Authority as the overall Company of the Year, illustrating the range of sectors benefiting from robust quality systems.