More than 30 Rwandan industries and small and medium enterprises have received certification allowing them to trade their products across African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

On Friday, March 6, 32 industries were awarded certificates for 78 products that meet harmonized African standards. The certification was granted through support from the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) and the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) under the African Conformity Assessment Program (ACAP).

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The initiative aims to facilitate the movement of certified products across Africa by ensuring that goods meet common continental standards, thereby boosting intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.

All of the certified products are agriculture-based. They include food products derived from sorghum, wheat, potatoes, rice, and honey. The certified industries said the recognition opens new opportunities to expand production and explore export markets across the continent.

Wenslars Bahati, Managing Director of Agriface, an agro-processing factory in Gicumbi district that produces maize meal and animal feed, said the certification marks a major milestone for the company.

"Our main goal has always been to expand to international markets,” he said.

"We were operating in a very limited market locally despite having quality products. These certificates will allow us to export our products across Africa because we have the capacity.”

Bahati explained that the certification process took about six months and involved continuous evaluations and verification by RSB and ARSO against different standardization requirements.

"They advised us on our products and guided us on how to ensure they meet the required standards,” he said.

With the certification now secured, Bahati said the company is already exploring potential export markets and partnerships.

"Our ambitions are now higher. We have started researching where we can export and which partnerships would be best for us,” he added.

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He noted that the company had previously secured a potential partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) under its food initiative, but could not proceed without the required standard certification.

"We were expected to supply fortified maize grain meal and composite fortified family porridge, but we could not deliver without the standard mark,” he said. "Now that we have the certification, we are ready to revive those discussions.”

Marie Chantal Mukabaziga, Managing Director of Union Verit, a maize processing company based in Nyaruguru District, described the certification as a significant achievement.

"It means a lot to be able to cross borders and work in other markets as an industry and as a country,” she said.

Mukabaziga added that expanding beyond Rwanda’s borders has been a long-standing goal for her business.

"Going beyond Rwanda has always been my dream since starting this business, and now it feels like that dream is becoming a reality,” she said.

Similarly, Remy Titien Niyireba, Managing Director of Ruhuha Kundumurimo (RKU) industry, which processes rice, maize, and animal feed products, said the certification places the company at a new level of competitiveness.

"We now have the responsibility to improve production to satisfy both the local and export markets,” he said.

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According to Niyireba, the certification will also encourage the company to invest more in technology, automation, and marketing to reach new markets across the continent.

He added that the opportunity extends beyond the company itself.

"We must strengthen agriculture and farmers’ cooperatives so that production increases and we can meet the demand of these markets,” he said.

Although RKU has not yet started exporting, Niyireba said the company has begun engaging potential markets abroad.

For Leila Nduka, the representative of Bakhresa Industries, the certification will help strengthen cross-border trade, particularly with neighboring countries. The company produces wheat flour, mainly used in bread and snack production.

She encouraged more companies to pursue harmonized standards certification as it improves credibility and opens new market opportunities.

Expanding Africa’s manufacturing base

Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretary General of ARSO, said the certification signals that African companies are increasingly ready to compete across the continent.

"This demonstrates that certified products can go a long way across Africa,” he said.

He added that Africa must prioritize manufacturing and value addition rather than relying solely on commodity trade.

"We need to be manufacturing, not just trading in commodities. I am encouraged that the certified products we are seeing today are value-added products,” he said.

Maintaining standards for export success

Minister of Trade and Industry Prudence Sebahizi said the certification confirms that the products meet continental standards required to compete in international markets.

"The 32 SMEs receiving certificates show that their products meet continental standards,” he said.

He noted that without recognized standards, exporters often face lengthy verification processes in foreign markets, where products may need to be retested before being allowed entry.

"What the SMEs must do now is maintain these standards and continue improving their products to meet market demands,” he said.

He also urged companies to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen Africa’s internal markets and reduce reliance on imports from outside the continent.