5th ACQF Continental Forum

Theme: Transparency, comparability, and mobility across national and regional qualifications systems.

The main objective of the ACQF Network – a visionary initiative of the African Union, is to implement, sustain and strengthen the ACQF and its Qualifications and Credentials Platform (QCP), as policy instrument supporting transparency and comparability of qualifications and credentials of all types and levels, mobility of learners and workers, recognition of skills, qualifications and credentials, complementarities with national institutions in development of national qualifications frameworks and systems, referencing with qualifications frameworks in Africa and global cooperation.

The Inception document defining the goals, organisation, and governance of the ACQF Network was discussed and validated by the countries actively cooperating in the context of the ACQF.

The Terms of Reference for the Network, as discussed and agreed at the meeting of 22 January 2025, set out the Governance Structure of the Network which will comprise a rotating Presidency consisting of member states drawn from three countries (Troika) with developed NQFs and significant experience, Vice President, Secretary General, and Treasurer. A Secretariat will also be appointed to support the executive structure of the Network.

The Network’s Presidency elections concluded in April 2025. The newly elected Presidency comprises:

  1. South African Qualifications Authority, nominated representative: Nadia Starr, Chief Executive Officer

  2. Kenya National Qualifications Authority, nominated representative: Dr. Alice Kande, Director General/CEO

  3. Zambia Qualifications Authority, Mercy Ngoma, Director General

Purpose and Significance

The 5th ACQF Continental Forum, co-hosted by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) serves as a vital platform for fostering dialogue, collaboration, and peer learning among African Union Member States and key stakeholders involved in qualifications frameworks, skills development, and lifelong learning. Its purpose is to support the implementation and harmonisation of the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) which aims to enhance transparency, comparability, and mobility across national and regional qualifications systems.

The Forum plays a significant role in strengthening mutual trust, sharing good practices, and building capacity in critical areas such as quality assurance, recognition of prior learning, and digitalisation of qualifications. By bringing together policymakers, technical experts, and education and training institutions, the Forum contributes to advancing the African Union’s vision of an integrated, prosperous, and knowledge-based continent.

The event languages: English, French, and Portuguese
Streaming and hybrid connection: Available upon registration

  • When Jul 30, 2025 to Aug 01, 2025 (UTC / UTC0)
  • Where Sandton Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg – South Africa
  • Add event to calendar iCal

Day 1 – Wednesday, 30 July 2025
Focus: ACQF Updates | Showcasing Good Practices | Peer Learning
Chair: Nadia Starr

Time (SAST)

Activity

Facilitation, Involvement

08:30 – 09:00

Registration, tea, and coffee

09:00 – 10:00

Opening and Welcome

  • Opening and Welcome Remarks
  • Purpose of the Forum
  • Country Introductions

Nadia Starr (SAQA)

10:00 – 10:30

Keynote Speaker:
Topic: Technology impact on NQFs

Professor M Hall (AST)

10:30 – 10:45

ACQF Progress and Roadmap for 2025–2027

Alice Kande (Kenya)

10:45 – 11:00

Tea Break

11:00 – 11:45

Research on the impact of the National Qualifications Framework on education, training, and employment

Peer Learning Session 1: South African Good Practices

ZAQA

11:45 – 12:00

SAQA Presentation: Enhancing Access through the National Qualifications Register – Enabling Data-Driven Recognition and Mobility

SAQA

12:00 – 12:30

Legal Registration of the Network

SAQA/ZAQA/KENYA

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch Break

13:30 – 15:00

Peer Learning Session 2: Continental Showcases

🌍 Kenya: Transforming qualifications management through digital innovation- Kenya’s journey towards transparency and inclusion
🌍Ghana: NQF Alignment with TVET Reform
🌍Namibia: RPL for Public Sector Recruitment

Referencing Spotlight: Country Showcase

Angola presents its ACQF Referencing Journey

Plenary Discussion: Alice Kande (Moderator)

🌍Plenary Discussion/Reflection: Lessons and Considerations for Other Countries

15:00 – 15:15

Closing Remarks

Nadia Starr (SAQA)

15:15 – 15:30

Tea and Networking

All

 

Day 2 – Thursday, 31 July 2025
Focus: | Digitalisation | Cluster Launch
Chair: Mercy Ngoma

Time (SAST)

Activity

Facilitation, Involvement

08:30 – 09:00

Arrival and tea/coffee

09:00 – 10:30

Opening and Welcome – Recap on Day 1

Mercy Ngoma (ZAQA)

  • Interactive Group Work
  • Nolunsindiso Kayi (SAQA)

Cluster Working Session: Chairperson /Secretariat election and TORs
Participants split into the following cluster groups:
🔹Cluster 1:
Referencing & Recognition
🔹Cluster 2:
QCP & Digitalisation
🔹Cluster 3:
NQFs, RPL, CATS, QA
🔹Cluster 4:
Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
🔹Cluster 5:
Financing & Sustainability

Activities and Partnerships

  • Election of Chairperson and Secretariat
  • Review of TORs
  • Identification of 2025/2026 priority actions
  • Resource mapping and continental collaboration opportunities

10:30 – 11:00

Tea Break

11:00 – 12:00

Mobility in qualifications and credentials

  • AU Share projects on the continent: Digital and non-digital

  • Addis Convention Committee and ANNIS – Prof Diouf

  • Credential Engine/SAQA Digitising Qualifications for Improved Mobility: Africa’s Role in a Global Linked Data Pilot – Scott Cheney

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch Break

13:00 – 13:45

Curation of the European Qualifications Framework – the work of EQF Advisory Group

European Commission, DG EMPL

13:45 – 15:00

Unlocking the Potential of the QCP: From Data to Policy Impact.

Capacity building activity (session I)

ETF and QCP Team

15:00 – 15:15

Tea break

15:15 – 16:45

Unlocking the Potential of the QCP: From Data to Policy Impact. Capacity building activity (session II)

ETF and QCP Team

16:45

Closing Remarks

Mercy Ngoma

 

Day 3 – Friday, 1 August 2025
Focus: Capacity Building | Next Steps
Chair: Alice Kande

Time (SAST)

Activity

Facilitation, Involvement

08:30 – 09:00

Arrival and tea/coffee

09:00 – 10:30

Opening and Welcome – Recap of Day 2

 

Unlocking the Potential of the QCP: From Data to Policy Impact. Capacity building activity

(session III)

Alice Kande (Kenya)

ETF and QCP Team

10:30 – 11:00

Tea Break

11:00 – 12:00

Unlocking the Potential of the QCP: From Data to Policy Impact. Capacity building activity

(part IV)

ETF and QCP Team

12:00 – 13:00

Open Discussion and Synthesis Session

Reflections from Plenary

Next steps:

  • Technical Clusters – Report Back from Chairs

  • Referencing ACQF

  • Linking ACQF to the ACTS and AfCFTA, etc skills agenda

  • Synergies with the new African Union 2025 – 2034 TVET Strategy

Alice Kande

13:00 – 13:15

Final Reflections

Nadia Starr

13:15 – 13:30

Closing Remarks

Alice Kande

13:30 – 14:00

Farewell Lunch and Networking