AIAC's Frameworks

We align with globally recognized frameworks, including:

• ISO/IEC 17011 – Conformity Assessment: General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies

• ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems

• ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems

• ISO/IEC 17025 – Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories

• IAF/ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangements – Promoting global trust and equivalence

• African Union and REC Regulatory Guidelines – Ensuring contextual relevance and local alignment

The Seven AIAC Standards for Business Excellence in Africa

The AIAC Seven Standards are designed to uphold a culture of trust, competence, and sustainable impact across Africa’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These standards speak to the heart of African enterprise, ensuring organizations are equipped to grow ethically, govern responsibly, and lead with purpose — now and into the future.

1. Vision & Values Alignment

Standard One
Each AIAC-accredited organization must demonstrate a clear and consistent commitment to its founding vision, operating values, and strategic direction—aligned with sustainable development goals and Pan-African economic priorities.

2. Ethical Governance & Inclusive Leadership

Standard Two
Organizations must be led by an inclusive, independent, and ethically-grounded board or leadership team with at least five members. These leaders must be accountable for the organization’s performance, integrity, and public trust.

3. People & Purpose

Standard Three
Accredited institutions must invest in hiring, training, and retaining skilled, ethical, and purpose-driven professionals. Recruitment processes must reflect merit, fairness, diversity, and local empowerment.

4. Innovation & Knowledge Systems

Standard Four
AIAC-accredited organizations must foster a culture of continuous learning, knowledge-sharing, and digital innovation—leveraging technology and indigenous wisdom to improve operations and scale solutions.

5. Social Equity & Cultural Intelligence

Standard Five
Organizations must cultivate environments that respect Africa’s diverse identities, languages, customs, and histories—promoting equity, inclusion, and interdependence across teams and stakeholder communities.

6. Financial Stewardship & Integrity

Standard Six
Institutions must maintain transparent financial systems, internal controls, and audit mechanisms to ensure accountability, regulatory compliance, and ethical resource allocation for organizational and societal benefit.

7. Impact & Sustainability Compliance

Standard Seven
Every accredited organization must demonstrate alignment with national policies, regional trade frameworks, and international development goals while delivering measurable social, environmental, and economic impact.

Our mission

To support African organizations by providing world-class accreditation and compliance services rooted in international best practices and tailored to Africa's unique development context

Our vision

To be Africa’s leading force in building a continent where every institution, enterprise, and system operates with excellence, integrity, and global credibility — ensuring that African standards are recognized, respected, and trusted worldwide.