5th ACQF Continental Forum

Theme: Transparency, comparability, and mobility across national and regional qualifications systems.
5th ACQF Continental Forum

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

English

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

French

Jour 1 – Mercredi 30 juillet 2025
Thème : Mises à jour de l’ACQF | Présentation de bonnes pratiques | Apprentissage entre pairs
Présidente de séance : Nadia Starr

Heure (SAST)

Activité

Intervenant(s)

08:30 – 09:00

Accueil, thé et café

 

09:00 – 10:00

Ouverture et bienvenue

  • Allocutions d’ouverture et de bienvenue

  • Objectif du Forum

  • Présentation des pays participants

Nadia Starr (SAQA)

 

10:00 – 10:30

Intervenant principal:

Sujet : L’impact des technologies sur les cadres nationaux de qualifications (CNQ)

Professeur Martin Hall (AST)

10:30 – 10:45

Progrès de l’ACQF et feuille de route 2025–2027

Alice Kande (Kenya)

10:45 – 11:00

Pause café

11:00 – 11:45

Recherche sur l’impact du Cadre national des qualifications sur l’éducation, la formation et l’emploi

Session d’apprentissage entre pairs 1 : Bonnes pratiques sud-africaines

 

ZAQA

11:45 – 12:00

Présentation SAQA : Améliorer l’accès grâce au Registre national des qualifications – Promouvoir la reconnaissance et la mobilité basées sur les données

SAQA
12:00 – 12:30 Enregistrement juridique du Réseau SAQA/ZAQA/KENYA

12:30 – 13:30

Pause déjeuner

13:30 – 15:00

Session d’apprentissage entre pairs 2 : Présentations continentales

🌍 Kenya: Transformation de la gestion des qualifications par l’innovation numérique – Vers la transparence et l’inclusion
🌍Ghana: Alignement du NQF avec la réforme de l’EFTP
🌍Namibia: Reconnaissance des acquis pour le recrutement dans la fonction publique

Focus sur le référencement : Présentation par pays

Angola présente son parcours de référencement ACQF

Discussion plénière : Alice Kande (modératrice)

🌍Discussion/Réflexion plénière: Leçons et recommandations pour les autres pays

15:00 – 15:15

Allocution de clôture

Nadia Starr (SAQA)

15:15 – 15:30

Pause café et réseautage

Tous

 

Jour 2 – Jeudi 31 July 2025
Thème :Numérisation | Lancement des clusters
Présidente de séance : Mercy Ngoma

Heure (SAST)

Activité

Intervenant(s)

08:30 – 09:00

Accueil, thé et café

09:00 – 10:30

Ouverture et bienvenue – Récapitulatif du Jour 1

 

Session de travail par clusters : Élection du président et du secrétariat, et révision des termes de référence (TDR)
Les participants se répartissent en groupes par cluster :
🔹Cluster 1: Référencement et reconnaissance
🔹Cluster 2: Plateforme des qualifications et numérisation
🔹Cluster 3: CNQ, RPL, CATS, assurance qualité
🔹Cluster 4: Collaboration et partage des connaissances
🔹Cluster 5: Financement et durabilité

Activités et partenariats :

  • Élection du président et du secrétariat

  • Revue des TDR

  • Identification des actions prioritaires pour 2025/2026

  • Cartographie des ressources et opportunités de collaboration continentale

Mercy Ngoma (ZAQA)

  • Travail de groupe interactif

  • Nolunsindiso Kayi (SAQA)

 

10:30 – 11:00

Pause café

11:00 – 12:00

Mobilité des qualifications et certifications

  • Présentation des projets de l’UA sur le continent : numériques et non numériques

  • Comité de la Convention d’Addis et ANNIS – Professeur Diouf

  • Credential Engine / SAQA : Numérisation des qualifications pour améliorer la mobilité – Le rôle de l’Afrique dans un projet pilote mondial de données liées – Scott Cheney

12:00 – 13:00

Pause déjeuner

13:00 – 13:45

Gestion du Cadre européen des certifications – le travail du groupe consultatif EQF

Commission européenne, DG EMPL

13:45 – 15:00

Libérer le potentiel de la Plateforme des Qualifications (QCP) : des données à l’impact sur les politiques

Activité de renforcement des capacités (session I)

ETF et équipe QCP

15:00 – 15:15

Pause café

15:15 – 16:45

Libérer le potentiel de la Plateforme des Qualifications (QCP) : des données à l’impact sur les politiques

Activité de renforcement des capacités (session II)

ETF et équipe QCP

16:45

Allocution de clôture

Mercy Ngoma

 

Jour 3 – Vendredi 1 août 2025
Thème : Renforcement des capacités | Prochaines étapes
Présidente de séance: Alice Kande

Heur (SAST)

Activité

Intervenant(s)

08:30 – 09:00

Accueil, thé et café

09:00 – 10:30

Ouverture et bienvenue – Récapitulatif du Jour 2

Alice Kande (Kenya)

Libérer le potentiel de la Plateforme des Qualifications (QCP) : des données à l’impact sur les politiques

Activité de renforcement des capacités (session III)

 ETF et équipe QCP

10:30 – 11:00

Pause

11:00 – 12:00

Libérer le potentiel de la Plateforme des Qualifications (QCP) : des données à l’impact sur les politiques

Activité de renforcement des capacités (session IV)

ETF et équipe QCP

12:00 – 13:00

Discussion ouverte et séance de synthèse Réflexions de la plénière

Prochaines étapes :

  • Clusters techniques – Rapports des présidents

  • Référencement de l’ACQF

  • Liaison entre l’ACQF, l’ACTS, l’AfCFTA et l’agenda des compétences

  • Synergies avec la nouvelle stratégie EFTP de l’Union africaine 2025–2034

Alice Kande

13:00 – 13:15

Réflexions finales

Nadia Starr

13:15 – 13:30

Allocution de clôture

Alice Kande

13:30 – 14:00

Déjeuner d’adieu et réseautage

 

Portuguese

Dia 1 – Quarta-feira, 30 de julho de 202
Foco: Atualizações do ACQF | Apresentação de Boas Práticas | Aprendizagem entre Pares
Presidente da Sessão: Nadia Starr

Hora (SAST)

Atividade

Facilitação / Participação

08:30 – 09:00

Registo, chá e café

09:00 – 10:00

Sessão de Abertura e Boas-Vindas

  • Palavras de Abertura e Boas-Vindas

  • Objetivo do Fórum

  • Apresentação dos Países Participantes

Nadia Starr (SAQA)

10:00 – 10:30

Orador Principal:

Tema: O impacto da tecnologia nos QNQ

Professor Martin Hall (AST)

10:30 – 10:45

Progresso do ACQF e Roteiro 2025–2027

Alice Kande (Quénia)

10:45 – 11:00

Pausa

11:00 – 11:45

Investigação sobre o impacto dos Quadros Nacionais de Qualificações na educação, formação e emprego

Sessão de Aprendizagem entre Pares 1: Boas Práticas da África do Sul

 

ZAQA

11:45 – 12:00

Apresentação da SAQA: Promover o Acesso através do Registo Nacional de Qualificações – Potenciar o Reconhecimento e a Mobilidade com Base em Dados

SAQA

12:00 – 12:30

Registo Legal da Rede

SAQA/ZAQA/QUÉNIA

12:30 – 13:30

Pausa para Almoço

13:30 – 15:00

Sessão de Aprendizagem entre Pares 2: Destaques Continentais

🌍 Quénia: Transformação da gestão de qualificações através da inovação digital – a jornada do Quénia rumo à transparência e inclusão
🌍Gana: Alinhamento do QNQ com a Reforma do EFTP
🌍Namíbia: Reconhecimento de Aprendizagens Prévias para Recrutamento no Setor Público

Referenciamento em Destaque: Apresentação Nacional

Angola partilha a sua experiência de Referenciamento com o ACQF

Discussão Plenária: Alice Kande (Moderadora)

🌍Discussão Plenária / Reflexão: Lições e Considerações para Outros Países

15:00 – 15:15

Observações Finais

Nadia Starr (SAQA)

15:15 – 15:30

Chá e Networking

Todos

 

Dia 2 – Quinta-feira, 31 de julho de 2025
Focus: Digitalização | Lançamento dos Grupos Temáticos
Presidente da Sessão: Mercy Ngoma

Hora (SAST)

Atividade

Facilitação / Participação

08:30 – 09:00

Chegada e chá/café

09:00 – 10:30

Abertura e Boas-Vindas – Recapitulação do Dia 1

 

Sessão de Trabalho dos Grupos Temáticos: Eleição do Presidente e Secretariado + Revisão dos TdR

Divisão dos participantes nos seguintes grupos:
🔹 Grupo 1: Referenciamento & Reconhecimento
🔹 Grupo 2: Plataforma QCP & Digitalização
🔹 Grupo 3: QNQ, RPL, CATS, AQ
🔹 Grupo 4: Colaboração & Partilha de Conhecimento
🔹 Grupo 5: Financiamento & Sustentabilidade

 

Atividades e Parcerias:

  • Eleição do Presidente e Secretariado

  • Revisão dos Termos de Referência (TdR)

  • Identificação das ações prioritárias para 2025/2026

  • Mapeamento de recursos e oportunidades de colaboração continental

Mercy Ngoma (ZAQA)

  • Trabalho Interativo em Grupo

  • Nolunsindiso Kayi (SAQA)

10:30 – 11:00

Pausa

11:00 – 12:00

Mobilidade de qualificações e credenciais

  • A UA partilha projetos no continente: digitais e não digitais

  • Comité da Convenção de Adis Abeba e ANNIS – Prof. Diouf

  • Credential Engine / SAQA: Digitalização de Qualificações para Melhorar a Mobilidade – O Papel de África num Projeto Piloto Global de Dados em Rede – Scott Cheney

12:00 – 13:00

Pausa para Almoço

13:00 – 13:45

 

 

Curadoria do Quadro Europeu de Qualificações – trabalho do Grupo Consultivo do EQF

Comissão Europeia, DG EMPL

13:45 – 15:00

Desbloquear o Potencial do QCP: Dos Dados ao Impacto Político

Atividade de reforço de capacidades (sessão I)

Equipa da ETF e do QCP

15:00 – 15:15

Pausa

15:15 – 16:45

Desbloquear o Potencial do QCP: Dos Dados ao Impacto Político

Atividade de reforço de capacidades (sessão II)

Equipa da ETF e do QCP

16:45

Observações Finais

Mercy Ngoma

 

Dia 3 – Sexta-feira, 1 de agosto de 2025
Foco: Reforço de Capacidades | Próximas Etapas
Presidente da Sessão: Alice Kande

Hora (SAST)

Atividade

Facilitação / Participação

08:30 – 09:00

Chegada e chá/café

09:00 – 10:30

Abertura e Boas-Vindas – Recapitulação do Dia 2

Alice Kande (Kenya)

Desbloquear o Potencial do QCP: Dos Dados ao Impacto Político. Atividade de reforço de capacidades (sessão III)

Equipa da ETF e do QCP

10:30 – 11:00

Tea Break

11:00 – 12:00

Desbloquear o Potencial do QCP: Dos Dados ao Impacto Político. Atividade de reforço de capacidades (sessão IV)

Equipa da ETF e do QCP

12:00 – 13:00

Sessão Aberta de Discussão e Síntese
Reflexões da Plenária

Próximas etapas:

  • Grupos Técnicos – Relatórios dos Presidentes

  • Referenciamento ao ACQF

  • Vínculo entre ACQF, ACTS e AfCFTA, e outras agendas de competências

  • Sinergias com a nova Estratégia TVET da União Africana 2025 – 2034

Alice Kande

13:00 – 13:15

Reflexões Finais

Nadia Starr

13:15 – 13:30

Observações de Encerramento

Alice Kande

13:30 – 14:00

Almoço de Despedida e Networking