ISO and ARSO are moving forward with a new framework for coordinated standards development. Find out what the Kigali Agreement could mean for ISO technical committees and the planned pilot phase in 2027.
FROM ISO · TMB HIGHLIGHTS · SEPTEMBER 2026
Kigali Agreement: coordinated standards development with ARSO
"Background: In October 2025, Council approved the Cooperation Agreement between ISO and the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), known as the Kigali Agreement. It aims to strengthen African participation in international standardization, promote regional harmonization and increase the uptake of International Standards across Africa. This is particularly relevant to the African Continental Free Trade Area, which depends on coherent standards and fewer technical barriers to trade. The Agreement is being implemented through phased operational annexes. Kigali Agreement Annex I covers standards development, adoption and regional harmonization, setting out how corresponding ISO and ARSO technical committees may voluntarily coordinate work on an International Standard. It is intended to provide a more structured route for African input during standard development, while preserving ISO governance, member rights and the requirements of the ISO/IEC Directives.
Feedback from the ARSO Annual Meeting in August 2026 showed strong interest in the approach. Members saw potential to align ISO work more closely with African market needs, support AfCFTA-related harmonization and strengthen African participation. They also emphasized early engagement, broad stakeholder input and clear coordination. TMB reviewed the Kigali Agreement Annex I and provided comments on the proposed framework. Its discussion focused on ensuring that cooperation would remain voluntary, preserve ISO governance and member rights, and provide clear participation and coordination arrangements. The feedback will inform further refinement of the Kigali Agreement Annex I ahead of its planned submission to Council in February 2027.
What this means for us: the Kigali Agreement Annex I is expected to offer ISO committees a structured option for cooperating with ARSO where there is a corresponding ARSO committee and a clear benefit in coordinating development. The emerging framework would provide a transparent and coordinated way to organize African input into ISO work, without transferring ISO decision-making or creating additional ISO voting rights. Under the approach being developed, coordinated development with ARSO could be considered for new International Standards, revisions or projects already under development up to the committee stage. If such cooperation is proposed, committees may be asked to consider its added value, timing and whether ISO and ARSO can coordinate their respective processes effectively. ISO and ARSO technical committees whose scopes align closely with priorities under the African Continental Free Trade Area are encouraged to monitor the development of the Kigali Agreement Annex I and identify where coordinated work could add value. This will help committees prepare for the anticipated pilot phase in 2027."