African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) and its Qualifications and Credentials Platform are continental tools aiming at enhancing transparency and comparability of qualifications and supporting recognition and mobility on the African continent and beyond.

In 2023 the African Union Commission, the African Union member states and the regional economic communities (REC) validated the ACQF Policy document and pledged to jointly implement and nurture the ACQF in the period 2023-2026 with support of the relevant African stakeholders and the international partners. The ACQF is defined as an overarching reference qualifications framework of ten levels, serving as a connector and translation device between different qualifications frameworks or systems and their levels.

It will deliver on the areas of activity defined in its policy document, namely: 1) referencing between qualifications frameworks; 2) recognition of prior learning campaign; 3) digital qualifications database; 4) common profiles of qualifications; 5) capacity development and support to national qualifications frameworks; 6) networking, communication, and advocacy; 7) analysis, monitoring, and evaluation.

The ACQF Website is home to all outputs and updated information on the ACQF-related activities.

The main objective of the ACQF Network is to implement, sustain and strengthen the ACQF and its Qualifications and Credentials Platform (QCP).

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 Network’s Presidency elections concluded in April 2025. The newly elected Presidency leads the preparation of the event and will jointly chair the Forum. It 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.

Forum objectives

The 6th 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.

Participants:

• Institutions managing National Qualifications Frameworks from across the continents
• International cooperation actors.

Programme:

The key highlights of the event’s programme include:

• Policies and practices concerning recognition of skills and credentials 
• Presentations of policy options on micro-credentials
• Good practices on green skills and qualifications
• Operationalisation of the Qualifications and Credentials Platforms
• Networking opportunities and continental collaboration planning 2025-2026
• Presentation of work plans of the technical clusters under the ACQF Network: (1) ACQF Referencing; (2) Qualifications databases and digitalization; (3) Research on NQFs and related policies; (4) Communication and outreach.

The event languages will be English, French, and Portuguese. Streaming will be available to ensure wider participation.

The ACQF-II initiative is funded by the European Union.