KENAS puts Kenya on the map with landmark International Accreditation Conference
colokeba 
Kenya is set to host the International Accreditation Conference (IAC 2025), a historic global event that will mark the first-ever international dialogue on accreditation, quality, and standards to be held in Nairobi.
The meeting will also feature the first official visit of the newly elected president of the Global Accreditation Corporation (GAC), symbolizing Kenya’s growing influence in the global quality assurance landscape.
The conference, organized by the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), is expected to bring together regulators, conformity assessment bodies, consumer representatives, government agencies, and international partners to explore ways of strengthening quality infrastructure and building trust across trade, health, construction, and public safety systems.
During a pre-event briefing in Nairobi, KENAS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Walter Ongeti affirmed that Kenya is fully prepared to host the milestone event, emphasizing its global importance.
“We are here to announce that Kenya Accreditation Service, the sole national accreditation body mandated to assess and accredit entities undertaking testing, medical testing, certification, inspection, validation, and verification, will for the very first time host an international accreditation conference,” said Dr. Ongeti.
He noted that the gathering will provide a critical platform to discuss how accreditation reduces technical barriers to trade and enhances the competitiveness of goods and services both locally and internationally.
“We want to have a discussion around issues that strengthen our quality infrastructure and ensure that the goods and services we trade, not only in Kenya but beyond, can be exchanged with ease and confidence,” he added.
Delegates from across the world are expected to attend, including senior officials from the Global Accreditation Corporation (GAC) a newly established entity formed through the merger of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and leaders from the African Accreditation Corporation (AAC).
Dr. Ongeti said the event’s significance is amplified by hosting the first official visit of the GAC president, adding, “We are very excited that for the first time the world will be converging in Kenya to have this conversation.”
At the national level, KENAS has received high-level government support, with the Head of Public Service, the Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry, several other Cabinet Secretaries, and more than ten Principal Secretaries expected to attend.
Chief executives from both public and private sectors have also confirmed participation.
KENAS further expressed gratitude to sponsors and exhibitors such as KenGen, Kenya Power, the Global Fund, and the National Research Fund (NRF). Over 30 organizations, including the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), have confirmed participation as exhibitors.
“We are very grateful to all our partners and exhibitors who have come on board,” Dr. Ongeti said.
“We now call upon all remaining stakeholders to confirm attendance so that no one is left out of this auspicious occasion.”
The International Accreditation Conference 2025 positions Kenya as a global thought leader in accreditation and quality systems, setting the stage for stronger regulatory structures, safer products, and a more competitive African marketplace.
