Industry experts call for unified Pan-African professional certifications

​Industry leaders and professional association representatives across Africa have called for stronger continental cooperation, unified standards, and Pan-African certification systems to improve skills recognition, facilitate cross-border employment, and strengthen economic integration.

​The call emerged during a partnership signing ceremony in Addis Ababa on November 13, as Ethiopia advances preparations to host the Africa Commerce Convergence Summit (ACCS) 2027. Scheduled for September 2027, the summit is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates from more than 33 African countries, bringing together professionals, business leaders, policymakers, technology experts, and innovators.

​The agreement was signed by Nigel Colin Tattersall, originator of ACCS; Fana A. Abay, President of the Ethiopian Marketing Professionals Association (EMPA); and Yilkal Abate, President of the ICT Association Ethiopia (ICT-ET). This formally links the continental initiative with its Ethiopian host associations.

​A central theme of the discussions was developing indigenous professional certification frameworks that allow qualifications obtained in one African nation to be recognized in another. Yilkal Abate emphasized establishing transferable, trusted qualifications across borders. He noted that the initiative aims to ensure professionals moving between countries—such as Ethiopia and Kenya—have their credentials recognized without unnecessary barriers. This approach will strengthen professional mobility, promote knowledge exchange, and address specialized skill shortages across the continent.

​Echoing this sentiment, John Karani, Secretary General of the Africa Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON), advocated for a Pan-African certification system for supply chain professionals. Karani questioned why Africans still rely heavily on external institutions for qualifications when the continent possesses the capacity to set its own internationally respected standards.

​This reflects broader concern over Africa’s reliance on foreign training materials, research, and frameworks. Matongo Matamwandi, President of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC), urged reducing dependence on external knowledge systems by strengthening cooperation among African institutions.

Matamwandi noted that marketing education and case studies used in Africa are predominantly imported from Europe and North America. He argued that African professionals must generate locally relevant research, strategies, and educational resources reflecting the continent’s unique consumer behavior and business environment.

​ACCS 2027 will unite four interconnected sectors: marketing, information and communication technology (ICT), supply chain and logistics, and the creative economy. Organizers highlighted their synergy in modern business: marketing develops markets, technology drives digital innovation, supply chains move goods, and creative industries foster value creation.

​Tattersall explained that ACCS was founded to connect African professional associations through education, events, publications, and research. Originating from 2011 discussions among marketing bodies from five countries, the initiative aims to build continental networks and support emerging associations.

​Hosting ACCS 2027 offers Ethiopia a platform to showcase its professional capabilities, business climate, and investment potential. Fana A. Abay, President of EMPA, said the country’s preparations have been driven by efforts to build a stronger marketing community and connect Ethiopian professionals with continental networks.

​She recalled that her participation in an international marketing conference in Uganda several years ago inspired her and other Ethiopian professionals to establish stronger connections with marketing associations across Africa.

​Fana said the journey has involved considerable effort over the past three years, helping to create a community of Ethiopian marketers capable of networking and collaborating with counterparts across the continent.

​Led locally by EMPA and ICT-ET in strategic partnership with the Ethiopian Logistics and Supply Chain Management Professionals Association (ELSA), the broader initiative includes AMC, TICON Africa, ASCON, and the Federation of Creative Economies.