Against the dynamic backdrop of the AU-EU Business Forum 2025, ACQF hosted a dedicated side event, “Driving Workforce Excellence: The Role of Private Sector in Continental Certification and Occupational Standards for Africa”, drawing strong interest from both regulators and industry representatives. The Forum forms part of the wider AU-EU cooperation under the Global Gateway, which aims to boost investment in skills, digitalisation and sustainable value chains across the continent - making ACQF’s contributions particularly timely.

The session was moderated by Thierry Foubert (European Training Foundation - ETF) and Chigozie Emmanuel Okonkwo (African Union Commission), who steered a highly interactive discussion focused on strengthening collaboration between the ACQF Network and the private sector. Together, they framed the conversation around the central challenge: how to build continental certification and occupational standards that respond directly to employer needs.

A rich mix of speakers provided insights from across the ecosystem. Private-sector perspectives were delivered by Carita Tissari Da Costa (Business Finland), Jan Rombouts (Belgian Campus) and Margherita Trestini (CircuWasteVET Project), who highlighted the growing demand for workers with recognised qualifications, the lack of comparability across countries, and the importance of trusted certification systems for companies operating regionally and globally.

ACQF Network representatives brought the regulatory dimension to the forefront. Jericho Kashiya (Zambian Qualifications Authority) outlined how national and continental qualifications frameworks address inconsistencies in standards, strengthen visibility of credible certification bodies, and facilitate the mobility of skilled workers. Anatolii Garmash (ETF Senior Expert, ACQF II) presented key ACQF tools - including the ACQF Skills Profiles and the Qualifications and Credentials Platform (QCP) - showing how they promote transparency, comparability and reliable information on qualifications across Africa.

Through a series of moderated exchanges, audience discussions and mentimeter inputs, the session explored governance solutions for continent-wide standards, opportunities for endorsing private certifications, and mechanisms for greater employer involvement in developing and validating skills. The dialogue also emphasised the importance of aligning with the AU’s Continental TVET Strategy 2025-2034 to ensure that workforce development supports investment, value-chain growth and economic integration.

The event closed with forward-looking recommendations centred on expanding ACQF-private sector collaboration, scaling the use of ACQF tools, and identifying potential pilot areas - such as sectoral skills profiles and inclusion of private certifications in the QCP.

ACQF’s active presence at the Forum clearly demonstrated its essential role in shaping a transparent, trusted and future-ready skills ecosystem for Africa.