No fewer than 131 Nigerian companies have been awarded the Africa Quality Mark (AQM), a continental certification designed to boost product acceptance across African markets and enhance participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The certification was presented at a ceremony in Abuja attended by government officials, industry stakeholders and representatives of the African Organisation for Standardization (ARSO).
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the achievement as proof that Nigerian-made products can meet continental quality standards and compete effectively in regional markets.
According to her, the certification reflects Nigeria’s growing culture of quality assurance, industrialisation and competitiveness.
She commended the certified companies for demonstrating resilience and innovation despite prevailing economic challenges, noting that the recognition would strengthen the country’s industrial base and export potential.
Oduwole said the Federal Government remained committed to policies that promote industrial growth, local value addition and export expansion in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our vision is to transform Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy into a leading production and export hub for Africa,” she said.
The minister noted that as the AfCFTA gains momentum, African countries must focus on building an integrated and competitive continental economy. She stressed that market access alone was insufficient without products that meet recognised quality standards.
“Quality is no longer optional; it is a necessity. Consumers and trading partners want products that meet high standards of safety, reliability and performance,” she said.
She explained that the Africa Quality Mark serves as a symbol of trust, assuring buyers that certified products comply with harmonised African standards.
Describing the certification as a gateway to expanded market opportunities, Oduwole urged the beneficiary companies to increase production capacity and leverage the wider market available to them.
“You are now ambassadors of quality. The challenge is to maintain these standards, expand production and inspire other manufacturers to follow the same path,” she added.
The Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, said the programme marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to improve product quality and strengthen export competitiveness.
He noted that differing standards across countries often create barriers to trade, but the Africa Quality Mark provides a common framework that facilitates easier market access across the continent.
“The companies receiving this certification today are no longer limited to the Nigerian market. They now have access to a broader African market built on harmonised standards and quality assurance,” Okeke said.
He added that SON would continue supporting manufacturers through product testing, certification, factory inspections and standards development to improve competitiveness.
Also speaking, Secretary-General of the African Organisation for Standardization, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, said quality standards are critical to the success of continental trade agreements.
He explained that while trade agreements open doors, countries and consumers must be confident that imported products are safe and meet agreed quality requirements.
“Standards provide the assurance that products are safe and fit for purpose. They are essential for building trust and facilitating trade across borders,” he said.
Nsengimana noted that products carrying the Africa Quality Mark enjoy greater credibility because the standards are developed collectively by experts from across the continent.
He added that the certification gives qualifying companies access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people and positions them to compete more effectively within Africa.
The ARSO chief commended Nigeria’s commitment to standardisation and certification, noting that the country ranks among those with the highest number of certified products on the continent.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to the 131 companies, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s drive to strengthen its manufacturing sector and expand its footprint in intra-African trade.
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