Co-certification mechanisms for short-term professional agricultural training programs in Africa

This report outlines a scoping study on co-certification mechanisms for short-term professional training programs in agricultural innovation and similar agricultural domains across Africa, conducted in collaboration with RUFORUM, its partner universities and DeSIRA-LIFT. The study identifies existing certification models, challenges, and opportunities while proposing a scalable framework to enhance recognition, standardization, and portability of skills through co-certification. The initiative aims to ensure that agricultural short-term training certifications are widely accepted by different stakeholders, including academia, country governments, regional bodies, companies and employers and society as whole, addressing a critical gap in Africa’s agricultural capacity-development ecosystem. 

Currently, RUFORUM and some of its partner universities offer short-term courses, but certifications are primarily participation-based and issued solely by individual institutions, lacking co-certification and formal accreditation. As demand grows for standardized and specialized agricultural skills such as innovation facilitation, there is an urgent need for a structured co-certification model that integrates academic, policy, and industry recognition. This study assessed existing certification mechanisms, identified barriers to transferability, and explored opportunities for harmonization. Key challenges include low certificate recognition across Africa and worldwide, the absence of standardized frameworks, limited international institutional partnership and limited industry collaboration, difficulties in credit transfer, and regulatory misalignment across African countries. 

To address these gaps, the study proposes a four-tier co-certification model, scaling in complexity and recognition. Level-1 involves joint certification by RUFORUM, partner universities, and international organizations (e.g., FAO, CGIAR, UWR) without academic credits, which seems the only feasible cocertification model currently. Level-2 introduces credit- based certification, enabling accumulation toward degree programs. Level-3 aligns with National Qualification Frameworks (NQFs) for countryspecific recognition, while Level- 4 integrates with the emerging Africa Continental Qualification Framework (ACQF) for cross- border acceptance of co-certification. 

The study recommends a phased implementation, starting with pilot programs in selected universities to test feasibility, gather stakeholder feedback, and refine the model. Key steps include developing digital certification and credentialing methods, strengthening partnerships with international institutions and national accreditation bodies as needed, and ensuring financial sustainability of the programs. RUFORUM is proposed to lead as a central co-certification agency, setting quality standards, fostering partnership for quality training content, setting processes and delivery methodologies, and negotiating regulatory recognition at national and continental level. 

In conclusion, this co-certification framework presents a transformative opportunity to professionalize short-term agricultural training in Africa. By enhancing credibility, employability, and regional mobility, RUFORUM has the potential to drive systemic change in agricultural education, advancing Africa’s goals for food security, innovation, and workforce development. A strategic, collaborative rollout will be essential to achieving long-term success of the co- certification model.