Shaping the Africa of Tomorrow Through Safety Standards

On November 27, UL Standards & Engagement collaborated with the African Organization for Standardization to launch our newest report, "The Africa of Tomorrow: A Standards Roadmap." A co-hosted virtual launch event attracted over 140 stakeholders from member countries. 

With a rapidly growing population and economy, Africa holds significant potential for rapid infrastructure and technological development. However, to capitalize on these opportunities, Africa requires robust standards that provide guidelines that allow the region to grow safely. 

The report examines Africa’s standards landscape for fire safety, renewable energy, and sustainability in several regions, pinpointing areas where new or updated standards can be adopted to address issues. Several countries and sectors representing a cross section of Africa’s best interests were selected for the study, including Chad, Senegal, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and Zambia.  

Our report emphasizes the advantages of incorporating safety standards into developing Africa’s growing regions. We look forward to opportunities to advocate for adopting standards based on best practices, scientific data, and the "One Standard, One Test, and One Certificate" principle. 

By partnering with ARSO, we aim to enhance public safety by establishing effective safety standards. ARSO plays a vital role in facilitating research, fostering partnerships, and engaging with diverse stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.