The Director General/CEO, Dr Alice Kande, led the Kenya National Qualifications Authority team in hosting a high-level, multi-sectoral delegation from the Federal Republic of Somalia. The delegation is in Kenya for a benchmarking and study visit focused on the development and implementation of a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
The visit, facilitated by the Kenya School of Government in collaboration with JIN Corporation and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has brought together representatives from a broad range of Somali government institutions. These include the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development, Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, and the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, as well as representation from Villa Somalia.
The primary objective of the study visit is to equip the participants with both the technical knowledge and practical skills required to design, and implement a functional National Qualifications Framework. In addition, the programme seeks to strengthen participants’ understanding of the public policy cycle, enabling them to effectively develop, implement, and evaluate policies within their respective sectors.
In her welcome remarks, Dr Kande expressed appreciation for the visit, noting its significance in fostering regional cooperation and knowledge exchange. She provided a comprehensive overview of KNQA’s mandate as anchored in the Kenya National Qualifications Framework Act, highlighting the Authority’s role in coordinating and harmonizing qualifications systems in Kenya.
The KNQA team further took the delegation through a series of presentations on key policies, frameworks, and regulatory instruments developed over the years. These sessions showcased the progress made in strengthening Kenya’s education and training ecosystem, including the integration of formal, non-formal, and informal learning pathways through the Recognition of Prior Learning framework.
The delegation also gained insights into the impact of these policies on improving quality, relevance, integrity, and global competitiveness of Kenyan qualifications.
Discussions during the engagement also focused on emerging opportunities for collaboration between Kenya and Somalia, particularly within the context of regional and continental qualifications frameworks. Both parties explored areas of mutual interest, including capacity building, policy development support, and knowledge sharing to advance education and workforce development agendas.
KNQA’s growing role as a regional leader in qualifications framework development and its commitment to supporting peer institutions across Africa through strategic partnerships and technical cooperation is clearly visible across the region.
The delegation continues their five-day study visit in other government agencies under the program Policy Formulation and Implementation Training.
