The ACQF Network
The ACQF Network is the main community that supports the continental qualifications framework. It unites African Union member states, national qualifications authorities, regional economic communities, and key stakeholders from all over Africa.
The Network follows principles of solidarity and mutual understanding. It helps implement the ACQF and its tools, like the QCP. Governance is led by a rotating ‘Troika’ presidency, which includes three member states. This is backed by a Secretariat and an Advisory Council.
For more information: ACQF Network
The QCP Cluster (Cluster 2: QCP and Digitalisation)
The QCP Cluster, also called ACQF Network Technical Cluster 2 on QCP and Digitalisation, represents African stakeholders in platform governance. It includes ICT experts, database managers, and qualifications professionals from national authorities across the continent.
Leadership
The Cluster is led by an elected executive team that ensures regional representation and legitimacy:
- Chair: Kenya (KNQA – Kenya National Qualifications Authority)
- Vice-Chair: South Africa (SAQA – South African Qualifications Authority)
- Secretariat: Sierra Leone
Mandate
According to its Terms of Reference, the Cluster:
- Steers policy on QCP implementation across the continent.
- Supports the development of interoperable national qualifications databases.
- Ensures the platform meets the operational needs of member states.
- Submits biannual progress reports and annual activity summaries to ACQF Network meetings. This keeps technical decisions clear and accountable to political leaders.
Strategic partnership and technical implementation
The QCP is developed with support from the European Training Foundation (ETF). The ETF acts as the contracting authority and strategic partner. It provides high-level guidance, ensures alignment with international standards, and is the main financial supporter for the platform's development and capacity-building efforts. Along with the QCP Cluster, the ETF helps shape the platform's future roadmap.
A consortium of European technical partners handles the platform's technical implementation. These partners (Cognizone, PPMI, KIC) specialise in qualifications infrastructure, capacity development, and stakeholder engagement.
Country pilots
The QCP is being implemented with the active participation of pilot countries from across the continent. These countries are at various stages of engagement – from initial onboarding to active data curation in their virtual spaces. Their involvement shapes the development of the platform and helps ensure it meets real national needs.
The following 23 countries are currently engaged in the QCP pilot:
Country name | Engagement with QCP team | Country virtual space(s) | Uploaded (a) qualification(s) |
Angola | X | X | X |
Botswana | X | X | |
Cabo Verde | X | X | |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | X | X | |
Djibouti | X | X | |
Eswatini | X | ||
Ghana | X | X | |
Guinea-Bissau | X | X | |
Kenya | X | X | X |
Lesotho | X | X | X |
Mauritius | X | X | |
Morocco | X | X | X |
Mozambique | X | X | X |
Namibia | X | X | X |
Senegal | X | X | |
Seychelles | X | X | X |
Sierra Leone | X | X | |
Somalia | X | X | X |
South Africa | X | X | |
South Sudan | X | X | |
Tunisia | X | X | |
Zambia | X | ||
Zimbabwe | X | X | X |