AFRIMETS Strategic Roadmap 2012-2016 now available online

VIENNA, 21 June 2012 - The AFRIMETS Strategic Roadmap 2012-2016, which assesses existing gaps in metrology in Africa, is now available online. The Roadmap provides a snapshot of current metrological capabilities, determines the metrological needs of the continent and defines how these needs will be best met. It also defines policies and strategies to establish the necessary metrological infrastructure and for the strengthening of infrastructural capacity.

AFRIMETS, the Intra-Africa Metrology System, was set up in 2007 to overcome the metrology deficit in Africa by establishing communication channels, enhancing legal frameworks, fostering technical capabilities and connecting the continent to the international measurement system. The AFRIMETS Strategic Roadmap has been produced as part of the project: Institutional Strengthening of the Intra-Africa Metrology System, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

The Roadmap gives a broad overview of the regional metrology situation and identifies specific interventions that could improve capabilities over a relatively short period of time. The Roadmap thus aims to provide guidance to countries on how to establish a metrology infrastructure, identify approaches to pooling scarce resources and indicate what projects could be supported by prospective donors.

The Roadmap was presented during an Expert Group Meeting on Metrology, Expert Diversification and Intra-Industry Trade, jointly organized by UNIDO and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Lusaka, Zambia, on the 3 and 4 May 2012. Representatives from African Regional Economic Commissions and their associated Sub-Regional Metrology Organizations recommended that strategies developed at Pan-African and sub-regional levels should take into account the recommendations outlined in the Roadmap.

Standards, accreditation, metrology, conformance testing and quality assurance, are essential if African products and services are to be competitive. Products and services that conform to documentary standards (voluntary or compulsory) are more efficient, safer, cleaner and can be compared, and are thus nationally and internationally more acceptable. Metrology (the measurement infrastructure) underpins conformance testing, and, if improved, can have a huge impact on increasing trade and improving energy efficiency, and ultimately on reducing poverty.

>> The AFRIMETS Strategic Roadmap 2012-2016 can be downloaded from here

For more information, please contact:

Juan Pablo DAVILA
Associate Industrial Development Officer
Trade Capacity-Building Branch
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Tel: (0043) 26026 3167