Click here to view the election procedure for the Presidency of the ACQF Network.

Profiles of the Candidate Bodies

ANGOLA: Instituto Nacional de Qualificações de Angola - INQA

O processo de implementação do QNQ de Angola, tem sido uma brilhante experiência, pois o Instituto Nacional de Qualificações de Angola (INQ), têm observado as etapas necessárias para a efectiva implementação e consolidação de um QNQ, através da concepção e regulamentação dos diferentes mecanismos de capital importância para o sucesso da implementação do QNQ, pois é nosso entendimento que será um modelo a seguir de pelos países que pretendam implementar os seus QNQ, bem como para aqueles que estão na sua fase inicial. O INQ, tem congregado os diferentes intervenientes do Sistema Nacional de Qualificações (SNQ), para capacitá-los em matérias relacionadas com o QNQ, para que estes possam compreender a sua relevância e sentirem-se parte do processo de implementação do QNQ. Quanto as contribuições esperadas da Rede do ACQF, serão bem-vindas, porque o processo de implementação do QNQ de Angola esta numa fase crucial, pois estão criadas as bases necessárias para a plena operacionalização do mesmo, daí contarmos com a expertise da Rede do ACQF, no que diz respeito a operacionalização plena de alguns instrumentos e mecanismos ligados ao QNQ.

Directora Geral do Instituto Nacional de Qualificações de Angola desde 2022, Novembro. Exerceu funções durante 4 anos como Directora Geral-Adjunta da Formação Profissional. Desde 2022 que Angola, por via do INQA tem vindo a desenvolver um amplo programa de divulgação do QNQ a nível nacional e na capacitação dos seus stakeholders. Organizou em 2024, em parceria com o ACQF o 2º Fórum dos Quadros de Qualificações em África.

KENYA: The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)

The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), is a statutory body in Kenya under the Ministry of Education, Kenya. The Authority was established by the Kenya National Qualifications Framework Act, Chapter 214, Laws of Kenya to oversight, coordinate, and harmonize the multiple players in the qualifications awarding system and ensure transparency, consistency, and comparable qualifications that are recognizable, acceptable, and allow the mobility of learners and qualifications nationally and globally. The Authority has been operational since 2014 as stated earlier through its establishing Law, the core mandate of the Authority is to establish and oversight implementation of the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).The structure and functions of the KNQF cut across Basic education, TVET, university education, Industrial and professional training, and informal and non-formal training levels and seek to create better harmony, integration, and coordination within the education and qualifications awarding system of the country. The Framework sets out national standards and criteria for all qualifications. It ensures the development of a harmonized National Accreditation System, Quality Assurance, and Assessment systems to ensure that qualifications awarded in Kenya are credible, high quality, and meet national and international standards. The Kenya National Qualifications Authority through its functions has established and is implementing the KNQF, developed and is currently coordinating the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy Framework, established a register of all qualifications awarding bodies in Kenya, developed the Kenya Credit Accumulation and transfer system Policy Framework, Aligning foreign qualifications to their local equivalences, developed the national accreditation policy framework to guide and harmonize accreditation process in Kenya. The Kenya National Qualifications Authority also ensures comparability of the National Qualification Framework with regional, continental, and global frameworks such as the East African Qualifications Framework, Referencing the KNQF to the African Continental Qualifications Framework and the IGAD Regional Qualifications Framework. With a wealth of experience in the implementation of the National Qualifications Framework, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority brings on board vast experience in the development and implementation of the National Qualifications Framework. Kenya has stood out to be a reference point for country's conceptualizing the development of NQF's and has hosted various benchmarking visits. The Authority endeavors to contribute to the Network by promoting best practices in the implementation of the National Qualifications Frameworks. The Authority has also actively participated in all ACQF network activities and meetings and recently hosted two ACQF Network forums in Nairobi. The Kenya National Qualifications Authority headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr. Alice Kande is the Director General/CEO of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). The Authority was established in 2015 under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF) Act, Chapter 214 (Cap 214), with the primary mandate of coordinating and harmonizing the various levels of education within the country. Prior to her appointment as CEO, Dr. Kande served as the Deputy Director in charge of Planning, Policy, and Outreach at KNQA. She has also previously worked at the Commission for University Education as a Senior Researcher and has a wealth of experience in the education sector. She was the founding Head of the Business Department and a Lecturer at Riara University and has taught at Moi University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Dr. Kande holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Strategic Management) from JKUAT, a Master’s in Business Administration, and a Bachelor’s in Education, both from Kenyatta University. During her tenure at KNQA, Dr. Kande has championed the development and rollout of key national policies such as the Recognition of Prior Learning, the Kenya Credits Accumulation and Transfers System, and the Kenya National Classification Coding System. These initiatives aim to enhance access and inclusion in education and training while promoting portability, comparability, and the global competitiveness of national qualifications. Dr. Kande is a member of the Kenya Institute of Management and the Academy of International Business – Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter. She is currently involved in the development of regional and continental qualifications frameworks such as the IGAD Qualifications Framework and the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF). Dr. Kande has spearheaded the referencing of the Kenya National Qualifications Framework to the ACQF and is currently mainstreaming micro credentials in Kenya . Through her leadership, the Kenya has hosted two ACQF workshops. Dr. Kande is also leading high level discussions with the ETF on progressing ACQF activities and supporting the ACQF Network.

MAURITIUS: Higher Education Commission

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) plays a critical role in ensuring quality assurance, accreditation, and regulatory oversight within the higher education sector. With a mandate to uphold and enhance the quality of higher education, HEC ensures that both higher education institutions and programmes meet rigorous national and international standards. While the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA) is responsible for managing the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), HEC works in close collaboration with MQA to ensure that higher education qualifications are aligned with broader frameworks. This working arrangement helps maintain consistency, transparency, and relevance to industry needs and global standards. HEC’s deep expertise in accreditation and regulation has positioned it as a key player in regional and continental discussions. The ACQF is an essential platform for African countries to harmonize their qualifications frameworks, improve skills portability, and facilitate mutual recognition of academic and professional credentials. HEC’s active participation in the ACQF Network further enhances its role in regulating higher education. HEC has been instrumental in developing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) guidelines. The RPL guidelines align with the broader objectives of the ACQF, which seeks to create flexible learning pathways across Africa. By developing RPL, HEC is ensuring that individuals, regardless of their educational background, can access formal qualifications and career advancement opportunities. HEC has also developed the National Credit Value and Transfer System (NCVTS), a major step toward facilitating academic mobility. This system will enable students to seamlessly transfer academic credits between institutions within Mauritius and beyond. It is particularly beneficial for students engaged in transnational education, as it ensures that their credits and qualifications are recognized both locally and internationally. Given its extensive experience in higher education regulation and quality assurance, HEC is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the ACQF Network. Its technical expertise in designing and implementing quality assurance mechanisms will be valuable for other African countries developing their own frameworks. By sharing insights into regulatory enforcement, and best practices in higher education governance, HEC can serve as a key reference for institutions and policymakers across the continent. Through the ACQF Network, HEC can share its quality assurance methodologies, accreditation processes, and regulatory frameworks, which will help foster trust and recognition of qualifications across African countries. HEC’s approach to RPL can also serve as a model for other nations seeking to integrate informal and non-formal learning into their qualifications’ frameworks. This exchange of knowledge will be essential for creating a unified and inclusive approach to education across Africa. Mauritius’ success in developing credit transfer and articulation agreements will also support the ACQF’s goal of enhancing student mobility. HEC can contribute to ongoing discussions around credit accumulation, recognition, and transfer mechanisms, helping to establish common standards that facilitate cross-border education and the comparability of qualifications. Additionally, HEC can collaborate with the ACQF Network to address challenges in accreditation and qualifications recognition, which are critical for advancing education across the continent. HEC's collaboration with MQA to align qualifications with the NQF ensures that Mauritius’ higher education system meets global standards. HEC’s contributions to the ACQF Network will be instrumental in creating a harmonized and integrated qualifications system across Africa. By sharing best practices and technical expertise, HEC will support the ACQF’s objectives of improving mobility, employability, and the mutual recognition of qualifications.

MOZAMBIQUE: Conselho Nacional de Avaliação de Qualidade do Ensino Superior - CNAQ

Moçambique aprovou o seu Quadro Nacional de Qualificações em 2022, e tem como unidade de coordenação, o Conselho Nacional de Qualidade em Qualificações. O mesmo Decreto que aprova o QNQ cria a Comissao Técnica de Coordenação do QNQ igualmente coordenada pelo CNAQ e com um regulamento de organização e funcionamento igualmente aprovado, tutelado pelo Ministério de Educação e Cultura. Em termos de experiência, Moçambique dispõe de um Quadro de Qualificações Profissionais, aprovado pelo Decreto Nº 61/2022 de 23 de Novembro, devidamente instituído, com um catalogo Nacional com mais de 100 qualificações www.anep.gov.mz ainda a nível das qualificações profissionais Moçambique ja detém do Regulamento de Reconhecimento de competências adquiridas aprovado pelo Decreto Nº 58/2021 de 17 de Agosto . Quanto ao Ensino Superior desde 2010 Moçambique encontra em processo de implementação das Qualificações a nível superior aprovadas pelo Decreto 30/2010 de 13 de Agosto o qual se encontra em revisão desde 2022. Sendo que ate o momento ja foram desenhadas 19 qualificações do Ensino Superior, com envolvimento das IES e Sector Produtivo. Em termos de contribuições Moçambique participou plenamente no Projecto ACQF, partilhando sua experiência, Coordenou, na qualidade de Presidente do TCCA, o Documento Politico do Quadro Africano de Qualificações, apresentado a União Africana em 2022, em Adis Abeba. Igualmente partilhou e continua a partilhar sua experiência a nivelo da SADC, no que se refere ao Road Map da implementação do ACQF e no que se refere em particular aos Microcreditos.

SEYCHELLES: the Seychelles Qualifications Authority

The SQA came into operation in 2005, with the enactment of the Seychelles Qualifications Authority Act, 2005. The Act was later strengthened through the promulgation of the NQF Regulations, 2008. After more than a decade the SQA Act 2005 was repealed and replaced with the SQA Act, 2021, which included an expansion of the mandate of the organisation. Following the enlargement of functions, it was necessary to review the National Qualifications Framework 2005 and bring forth the Seychelles National Qualifications Framework, 2024. The NQF Regulations also needed to be revised into the National Qualifications Framework Regulations, 2025. During its 20 years of existence, the SQA has developed and implemented many policies in relation to the instruments aforementioned. For instance, we are at an advanced stage of RPL implementation and currently reviewing the policy and guidelines, we are reviewing tools for institutional and programme accreditation, as these have been in use for quite some time. We have just developed our Seychelles National Credit Accumulation and Transfer System and currently preparing to develop the Micro-credentials Framework. We believe that we can share our best practices policies and instruments that we have developed and implementing, our experience with the development and implementation of the NQF and quality assurance related practices and processes.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) established under the SAQA Act No 58 of 1995 and as one of the first education legislation under the democratic government has been a pioneer in the development, implementation, and oversight of National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) for nearly three decades. It is one of only five first-generation NQFs globally, making it not only the most mature NQF in Africa but also one of the most advanced and well-established qualifications frameworks in the world.

SAQA has played a critical role in ensuring that South Africa’s NQF remains inclusive, internationally benchmarked, and responsive to the country’s evolving education, training, and skills development needs. As an institution dedicated to quality assurance, lifelong learning, and recognition of qualifications, SAQA has become a recognized authority in the global qualifications landscape. It is now continuing to work under the NQF Act No 67 of 2008.
SAQA has extensive experience in NQF governance, policy development, and strategic implementation and research. It has been responsible for designing, managing, and coordinating the South African NQF, ensuring alignment with national priorities and international standards. Over the years, SAQA has established quality assurance mechanisms, ensuring that qualifications remain credible, portable, and aligned to economic and social demands. SAQA’s ability to manage complex education systems and ensure stakeholder alignment has solidified its position as a regional and global leader in NQF-related matters.

In addition to its national responsibilities, SAQA has been at the forefront of international collaboration, working closely with regional, continental and global partners to develop mutual recognition systems, qualifications frameworks, and mobility pathways for learners and workers. SAQA has contributed to key global initiatives, including the Southern African Development Community Qualifications Framework (SADCQF) African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF), and various UNESCO-led projects. These engagements have allowed SAQA to influence global best practices while ensuring that South Africa’s NQF remains globally competitive and relevant.

One of SAQA’s key strengths is its ability to facilitate capacity-building initiatives for other African countries. SAQA has played a critical role in mentoring and supporting the development of NQFs across the continent, providing technical assistance and knowledge-sharing platforms. Under SAQA’s leadership, the ACQF Network could establish strong institutional frameworks that support harmonized qualifications, skills recognition, and mobility across Africa.
SAQA’s track record in managing large-scale international projects further strengthens its case for the ACQF presidency. SAQA has successfully overseen EU-funded, UNESCO-driven, and AU-led initiatives, demonstrating its financial, administrative, and strategic leadership. By leveraging this expertise, SAQA can ensure that ACQF governance structures are robust, transparent, and outcomes driven.

SAQA is committed to ensuring that the ACQF becomes an enabler for sustainable development by linking qualifications frameworks to labour market needs. By focusing on skills recognition, RPL, and emerging competencies, SAQA can help shape ACQF’s agenda in a way that promotes economic growth, social mobility, and educational equity across Africa.

ZAMBIA: Zambia Qualifications Authority

The Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing the Zambia Qualifications Framework (ZQF), ensuring a structured, transparent, and internationally comparable qualifications system. Since its establishment, ZAQA has been instrumental in: 1. Developing and Operationalising the ZQF – ZAQA has successfully implemented the ZQF, which classifies and standardises qualifications across education and training sectors. This has improved the recognition, comparability, and quality assurance of qualifications in Zambia. 2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Qualification Alignment—Through its regulatory mandate, ZAQA has spearheaded initiatives to recognise prior learning and align skills and competencies with formal qualifications. This has enhanced access to lifelong learning and workforce mobility. 3. Strengthening Quality Assurance Mechanisms – ZAQA has developed policies and guidelines to enhance the quality and integrity of qualifications, collaborating with education and training institutions, professional bodies, and industry stakeholders. 4. International Cooperation and Recognition—Zambia ratified the Addis Convention, which has advanced regional and international recognition of Zambian qualifications. ZAQA has also engaged in partnerships with regional qualification frameworks, fostering comparability and mobility within Africa. Expected Contributions to the ACQF Network As an active participant in the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) Network, ZAQA is well-positioned to contribute significantly through: 1. Policy and Technical Expertise – Leveraging its experience in developing the NQF, ZAQA can provide insights into best practices for qualification frameworks, quality assurance, and recognition mechanisms. 2. Harmonisation of Qualifications Across Africa – By aligning the NQF with regional and continental frameworks, ZAQA can support efforts to create a more cohesive and integrated African qualifications landscape. 3. Facilitation of Academic and Professional Mobility—ZAQA’s experience in recognising prior learning and qualification equivalence can contribute to ACQF’s objectives of promoting cross-border mobility for learners and professionals. 4. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building – ZAQA can share lessons learned from implementing the NQF, supporting other African countries in developing robust national frameworks that align with the ACQF. Through its structured implementation of the NQF and commitment to regional integration, ZAQA is poised to play a crucial role in the ACQF Network, fostering qualification comparability, quality assurance, and educational mobility across Africa.