Gambia Standards Bureau and ARSO Hosted a High-Level Workshop on Harmonized African Standards and Intra-African Trade
The Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB), in collaboration with the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), convened a high-level workshop yesterday at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center. The event aimed to promote the critical role of harmonized African standards in boosting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Papa Secka, Director General of TGSB, welcomed participants and set the tone for the day’s discussions. Representing the Minister of Trade, Mr. Mod A.K. Secka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration, and Employment, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to standardization as a strategic trade facilitation tool. He emphasized that harmonized standards help eliminate technical barriers, enhance product quality and safety, and open wider market access for African businesses. He also referenced Annex 6 of the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Goods, which advocates for the use of international standards to support regulatory alignment across member states.
With technical contributions from ARSO, the workshop highlighted the vital role of harmonized standards in fostering economic integration, enhancing competitiveness, and expanding trade opportunities across the continent.
Key Presentations Included:
1. The Role of Quality Infrastructure in Facilitating Intra-Africa Trade and the Importance of Certification By Mr. Papa Secka, Director General, TGSB.
2. Implementation of AfCFTA by ARSO Member States: Opportunities, Tools, and the Elimination of Technical Trade Barriers By Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretary General, ARSO
3. African Standards Harmonization Procedure (SHP) and Drafting Standards (ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, 2021) By Mr. Reuben Gisore – Technical Director, ARSO
4. The Impact of Harmonized Standards on the Safety of Agricultural and Food Products, Textiles, and Leather By Ms. Clementine Mukamama , project Coordinator ARSO
5. The Gambia’s AfCFTA Experience and Implementation Process By Mr. Musa Sawaneh
6. ARSO IT Platforms for Facilitating the Harmonization Process Mrs. Jeruto Masiror – ICT Assistant, ARSO
The primary objective of the awareness workshop was to introduce ARSO’s work and initiatives to stakeholders in The Gambia. It emphasized the importance of the country becoming a full-fledged ARSO member to fully benefit from harmonized African standards tailored to national sectors.
The workshop was well-attended by senior government officials, representatives from the private sector, consumer advocacy groups, development partners, and the media.
