The Role of Accreditation in International Business: Insights from the Kenya-UK Workshop
Unlocking Global Opportunities Through Accreditation
In today's interconnected world, businesses must meet stringent international standards to stay competitive. Accreditation is key to breaking trade barriers, ensuring goods and services comply with global quality and safety benchmarks. The recent Kenya-UK Workshop on Regulatory Development Tools highlighted how accreditation fosters economic growth, enhances regulatory efficiency, and expands market access for Kenyan businesses.
The event organised in collaboration with the British High Commission in Nairobi, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, British Standards Institute, United Kingdom Accreditation Service, Department for Business and Trade in the UK, Kenya Bureau of Standards and KENAS amongst others was attended by over 70 regulatory bodies in the country.
Unlocking Trade & Strengthening Regulation
A key discussion at the workshop, led by KENAS CEO Dr. Walter Juma Ongeti, alongside experts from UKAS, BSI, and UK DBT, explored how accreditation aligns regulatory frameworks with global standards. As East Africa’s only signatory to ILAC, IAF, and AFRAC MRA/MLA, KENAS is driving change, helping regulators and businesses navigate compliance and build global trust.
Dr. Walter Ongeti: “Accreditation plays a vital role in ensuring regulatory reliability, fostering trust by guaranteeing competence, impartiality, and compliance with international standards.”
Accreditation: The Bridge to Global Market Access
At the workshop, representatives from regulatory bodies, trade organizations, and QI institutions emphasized how accreditation can:
✔ Supports Market Access – Businesses with accredited certification can more easily meet export specifications, reducing technical barriers to trade.
✔ Enhances Competitiveness – Accredited businesses gain international recognition, attracting investors and partners.
✔ Strengthens Regulatory Systems – Accredited bodies help regulators ensure that products and services comply with international safety and quality standards.
KENAS CEO with Thomas Wroblewski (DBT), Rob Bettinson (UKAS) on the sidelines of the workshop
Collaborative Efforts: Kenya and the UK Spearheading Accreditation Excellence
One of the most powerful outcomes of the workshop was the realization that international collaboration is at the heart of accelerating accreditation systems. Some of the highlighted initiatives include:
✔ Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs): Ensuring Kenyan products, certificates, and test reports are accepted internationally, eliminating trade delays.
✔ Regulatory Capacity Building: With support from UKAS and BSI, Kenyan regulators are adopting best practices in accreditation and standardization.
✔ Sectoral Accreditation Programs: Accreditation is being integrated into key regulatory areas such as transport, infrastructure, and manufacturing to enhance safety, quality, and global competitiveness.
Strengthening Kenya’s Regulatory Framework
To align with global best practices, Kenya must:
✔ Integrate Accreditation into Policies – Streamline trade by embedding accreditation in national regulations.
✔ Encourage Public-Private Partnerships – Strengthen collaboration between businesses and accreditation bodies.
✔ Invest in Capacity Building – Enhance training and infrastructure for a robust accreditation system.
Charting the Way Forward
The workshop underscored accreditation as a driver of economic transformation. For Kenya to fully leverage its benefits, it must:
✅ Adopt International Standards – Ensure compliance with globally accepted benchmarks.
✅ Strengthen Cross-Border Cooperation – Expand mutual recognition agreements with key trade partners.
✅ Enhance Awareness & Compliance – Educate businesses on the value of accreditation and encourage its adoption.
Conclusion: Accreditation as Kenya’s Gateway to Global Markets
Accreditation is more than compliance—it’s a competitive advantage. By embedding accreditation into trade and regulatory frameworks, Kenya can enhance global market access, attract investment, and drive sustainable economic growth. With strategic policies and industry collaboration, accreditation will serve as a cornerstone of Kenya’s international business success.
