can we foster technical competence in the wider african

Can we foster technical competence in the wider African scenario?

Sep 2009

2006

Sep 2009

Dr Wynand Louw

Acting CEO

Outline of TalkOutline of Talk

� the AFRIMETS history in brief

� the AFRIMETS structure

� the members

� the technical competencies in the sub regions

� how to foster technical competence?� how to foster technical competence?

� snapshot of the future

The ancient Egyptians were well known for their Measurement

capabilities

Africa, the birthplace of Accurate MeasurementAfrica, the birthplace of Accurate Measurement

A fragment of a schist cubit-rod

The Royal Cubit of the

New Kingdom: 52,4 cm

long

Length

2006

A fragment of a schist cubit-rod

Mass

The Deben, 12 g, 27 g,

93,3 g

Predynastic (5,000

to 7,000 years ago)

Stone mass std

the impact of AFRIMETS on

Intra-African trade

� African countries achievement of independence since the

1950s brought high socio-economic expectations

� The prospects were optimistic because Africans controlled

their own political destiny

Africa, Measurement todayAfrica, Measurement today

So where does Africa rate today on Measurement capabilities?

2006

their own political destiny

� The economic boom in the 1960s strengthened this

optimism with an increased demand for raw materials*

*N. Boaduo, The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.2, no. 4, June 2008)


Intra-African trade

‘…to establish a society in which men and

women will have no anxiety about

work, food and shelter, where poverty

and illiteracy no longer exist, and where

2006

disease is brought under control and

where our education facilities provide

our children with the best possible

opportunities for learning’

(Nkrumah, 1967:52-53)


Intra-African trade

� Unfortunately this optimism gradually evaporated

� From the 1970s, most of the African social and economic

development initiatives were grounded to a complete halt

(Coetzee et al 2001; Eze, 1997; Coetzee (ed))

� Throughout the continent economies experienced

continual crisis characterised by stagnation, rising foreign

2006

continual crisis characterised by stagnation, rising foreign

debts and increased unemployment

� To date, the search for industrial, economic and social

development paths continue to elude African

Governments

� End of the colonial period: Skills withdrawal

� Academic institutions became “Africa focused” and during civil wars (and the cold war), lost touch with the outside world

� Many Scientists (and metrologists) that studied overseas did not return to Africa

� The best graduates frequently leave for more lucrative opportunities in the developed world

Science in AfricaScience in Africa

2006

opportunities in the developed world

� The “lost scientific generation”

� Severe knock-on effect on “specialist positions” such as metrologists

� In 2005, only two nations in Africa were officially participating in the international metrology system


Intra-African trade

2006

February 2001

Membership of the BIPMMembership of the BIPM

BIPM

51 Full Members

(excl. Iran and Cameroon)

2006

-- 195 countries in the world195 countries in the world

-- 54 countries in Africa, or 28% of world54 countries in Africa, or 28% of world

-- 4% Members of the BIPM4% Members of the BIPM

SIM9


Intra-African trade

Is a renaissance looming?

The trillion dollar (Zim) Question is…

2006

The role of AFRIMETS

� Pan African organisations; AU, NEPAD

� Regional economic groupings; COMESA, ECOWAS, SADC, UEMOA,

EAC, CEMAC

� Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM)

� Regional Metrology Organisations; APMP, SIM, EUROMET

� African sub-regional metrology organisations: EAMET, MAGMET,

the birth of AFRIMETS, 2006the birth of AFRIMETS, 2006--20072007

2006

� African sub-regional metrology organisations: EAMET, MAGMET,

SADCMET

� Individual NMIs; CSIR NML, BOBS, KEBS, NIS, SON

� Legal Metrology organisations; SADCMEL, ONML

� Other organisations; SADCA, SADCSTAN, the dti, ARSO, the African

Committee of Metrology, the NLA

� The Network of Users of Scientific Equipment in Eastern & Southern

Africa (NUSESA)

� an umbrella organisation for sub-regional metrology groupings;

� share experiences and technical infrastructures

� transparency;

� promote an equal partnerships between organisations and disciplines in metrology;

� respect national autonomies;

the guiding principles of AFRIMETSthe guiding principles of AFRIMETS

2006

� respect national autonomies;

� commit to the development of metrology;

� Brotherliness, solidarity and mutual assistance;

� Inclusiveness;

� common approaches / positions;

� excellence;

� Increased recognition of African metrology competence.

� The Guiding Principles formed the basis for the MoU

� The Inaugural General Assembly meeting of AFRIMETS was

held at the premises of NEPAD, South Africa 1-2 July 2007

� the MoU was finalised,

� the first Chair, Vice-chairs and Executive committee

The Memorandum of UnderstandingThe Memorandum of Understanding

2006

� the first Chair, Vice-chairs and Executive committee

members were elected

� Finally, 5 sub regions and two individual institutes/countries

signed the MoU

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Principal MemberSub-regional African Metrology Organisation

Ordinary MemberAfrican NMIs and LMOs not full members of a SRMO

Associate MemberNMIs and LMs outside Africa, DIs and other organisations involved in metrology in Africa

Observers

Other Organisations interested in metrology

Voting: 2x Member States

Voting: 1x Member Vote Voting: none

Voting: none

Sc & Ind Metrology

Legal Metrology

The Structure of AFRIMETSThe Structure of AFRIMETS

2006

CHAIRPERSON

• Vice Chairperson representing Industrial Metrology• Vice Chairperson representing Legal Metrology• NEPAD Secretariat• AFRIMETS Secretariat• Elected delegates to represent Legal and S&I for

each SRMO

AFRIMETS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEESECRETARIATSECRETARIAT SUB-

COMMITTEES

CEMACMET Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic

of the Congo

EAMET Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi

MAGMET Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania

SADCMET-

MEL

Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique,

Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Seychelles

the members (2009)the members (2009)

2006

SOAMET Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Côte

d‘Ivoire

NEWMET Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria, Sudan

Associate Member (6) � LNE, France

� PTB, Germany

� NIRPS (National Institute of

Radiation Protection and Research, Nigeria)

� Madagascar-INSTN, Tanzania-TAEC, Ghana Radiation

Protection Institute

Observer (3) � EURAMET

the membersthe members

2006

Observer (3) � EURAMET

� CAFMET (Comité Africain de Métrologie)

� Arab Federation of Metrology

• AFRIMETS was officially accepted as the RMO for Africa by the CIPM in October 2008.

AFRIMETS as RMOAFRIMETS as RMO

1999-2008 (SADCMET)

2008-

(AFRIMETS)

2006

AFRIMETS July 2009AFRIMETS July 2009

2006

Current Situation

2006

TC 1A CIPM, BIPM, JCRB Issues J. Kioko, S. Kajane, W. Louw

TC 1B OIML Issues S. Carstens, S. Issoufou

TC 2A Scientific Metrology Education M. Berrada, M. Rabolinyane, M. Masuku

TC 2B Legal Metrology Education M-B. Hassine, K. Temba

the structure the structure –– Technical CommitteesTechnical Committees

2006

TC 3 Metrology Infrastructure D. Zabo, V. Kanama, W.Louw

TC 4A Metrology Legislation Harmonization

N.Malaga, E. Mvula. D.Masuku

TC 4B Metrology Legislation Harmonization

M-B. Hassine, K. Temba

TC 5 Metrology Awareness G. Albasini, V. Kanama and the Secretariat

Mass and Related Quantities B. vd Merwe

Flow D. Ondoro

Pressure C. Korasie

Force, Torque and Hardness B. Burke

Dimensional (Length) O. Kruger

AUV I. Veldman

the structure the structure –– Working GroupsWorking Groups

2006

AUV I. Veldman

Temperature H. Liedberg

Time and Frequency C. Matthee

Photometry and Radiometry N. Nel-Sakharova, H. Eissa

Ionising Radiation Z. Msimang

Radioactivity Standards F. Van Wyngaardt

DC-LF (Voltage) A. Matlejoane

Metrology in Chemistry S. Prins

-CMC level SA, Kenya, Egypt

the structure the structure –– Working GroupsWorking Groups

2006

-Accredited level Tanzania

-Developing level Uganda, Côte d‘Ivoire

Quality WG A. El Sayed

Current SituationCurrent Situation

� AFRIMETS structures are in place� Work Programme for 2009 includes:

� 5 AFRIMETS comparisons� 2 regional Proficiency Testing schemes� Legal Metrology work and action plan

2006

� Legal Metrology work and action plan� Fund raising activities� Sub regional metrology workshops

� WG meetings (Mass, Length, IR, Temp, P&R, MIC, LM) held in SA in July 2009

� 3rd General Assembly meeting held in SA in July 2009

The Consultative CommitteesThe Consultative Committees

NMISA,NIS: Full membership of 9 of the 10NMISA,NIS: Full membership of 9 of the 10

Consultative committees (10)Consultative committees (10) StatusStatus

Consultative Committee for Acoustics, Ultrasound and Vibration (CCAUV) Full member

Consultative Committee for Electricity and Magnetism (CCEM) Full member

Consultative Committee for Length (CCL) Full member

Consultative Committee for Mass and Related Quantities (CCM) Full member

Consultative Committee for Photometry and Radiometry (CCPR)(Chairmanship)

Full member

2006

(Chairmanship)

Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance (CCQM) Full member

Consultative Committee for Ionizing Radiation (CCRI)Section ISection II (Chairmanship)Section III

ObserverFull MemberNone

Consultative Committee for Thermometry (CCT) Full member

Consultative Committee for Time and Frequency (CCTF) Full member

latest happeningslatest happenings

� The AFRIMETS Quality system review document was

accepted by the JCRB, March 2009

� PTB committed to further assist the secretariat and

meetings

2006

meetings

� UNIDO Assistance project, €623 000

� Roadmap

� Training-Summer School

� Train a pool of technical assessors

� Comparisons and PT schemes

The Greater Role of AFRIMETS in AfricaThe Greater Role of AFRIMETS in Africa

� In addition to measurement equivalence and harmonisation

of Legal Metrology activities

� Liaison with the AU/NEPAD

� Liaison with other RMOs and especially a GULF Metrology

programme

2006

programme

� Establishment of Metrology Infrastructure

� Coordination of donor funding

The Greater Role of AFRIMETS in AfricaThe Greater Role of AFRIMETS in Africa

� Awareness creation

� Identify Measurement gaps

� Regional Measurement institutes?

� Harmonisation between SRMOs

2006

� Harmonisation between SRMOs

� Metrology Training

the Technical Competencies in the the Technical Competencies in the

subsub--regionsregions

� Africa’s economy relies on agriculture, mining and oil

� Cocoa products, coffee, sesame, cassava, nuts, honey, cotton, fruits and vegetables, spices, flowers and plants, wood, essential oils, seafood and gastropods

� minerals/metals -gold, platinum, diamonds, copper, coal

2006

copper, coal

� Oil and natural gas

� Limited manufacturing (SA)

*www.export-forum.com/Africa

EAMET Technical InfrastructureEAMET Technical Infrastructure

Kenya� Kenya has a well established Standards and Metrology

body (KEBS), Legal Metrology (WMD) and Accreditation body (KENAS)

� KEBS associate member of the CGPM� Most laboratories accredited to ISO 17025� Sets standards, keeps NMS, performs testing, customs

2006

inspection. Meets most needs of TI in Kenya� Challenges remain: Lack of skills, MIC Uganda� Well established Scientific and Industrial and Legal

Metrology, Uganda National Bureau of Standards� Standards development, verification, inspection,

measurement standards, testing� Can not meet testing needs due to lack in capacity. Fish

ban, 1999.

*www.kebs.org, www.iso.org

EAMET Technical InfrastructureEAMET Technical Infrastructure

Rwanda� Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS)� Standardisation, Quality assurance, metrology, testing� Dimensional, Electricity, Instrumentation, Mass,

Temperature, Volume, Pressure

Burundi� Bureau Burundais de Normalisation et Contrôle de la

2006

� Bureau Burundais de Normalisation et Contrôle de la Qualité (BBN)

� Standardisation and Metrology division� Certification, accreditation and inspection� Main Products Certified by BBN:� -Organic products (fruits and vegetables) � -Honey � -palm and cotton oil� -Passion fruit juice� -mineral water � -Milk� -Tea

*WWW.EAC-QUALITY.NET, www.rwanda-standards.org

NEWMET Technical InfrastructureNEWMET Technical Infrastructure

Egypt� Well established Metrology body (NIS), Standards

organisation (EOS) and Accreditation authority (NAQAAE)� NIS, full member of the BIPM� Some laboratories accredited to ISO 17025� Quality system approved by EURAMET� With national laboratories, can perform most testing for

Egypt

2006

Egypt

Nigeria� Well established Standards, Scientific and Industrial and

Legal Metrology body (SON)� Standardisation, conformity assessment� Permission to establish a metrology section


Ghana� Ghana Standards Bureau (GSB)� MSTQ� Metrology, Standards, Testing and Quality Assurance� Testing, Inspection, Certification, Calibration � Dimensional, Mass, Electrical, Instrumentations, Mass,

Temperature, Volume, Density, Pressure, Force, Frequency

Ethiopia

2006

Ethiopia� Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE)� Standardisation, Metrology, Legal Metrology� Mass, Dimensional and linear, Volume and Flow, Pressure and

Force, Temperature, Electrical Quantities and T&F Measurements

*www.iso.org


Libya� Libya National Centre for Standardisation and Metrology

(LNCSM)� Standards, Metrology and Accreditation

Sudan� Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organisation (SSMO)� Standardisation, Calibration, Weights and Measures

2006

� Standardisation, Calibration, Weights and Measures� Specialist laboratories

-Food and feeds-cereals-engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical)-pharmaceuticals-environmental-gold-chemicals, microbiology and mycotoxins

*www.sudan-travel.net, www.wikipedia.com

The Status of the TI in SADCMETThe Status of the TI in SADCMET

� Technical Infrastructure (Standards, Metrology,

Accreditation) well established in SADC region

- Supports all sectors of the economy

- NMISA can provide traceability to the region,

supported by secondary standards in most

countries

- Legal metrology system well established in 12 of

2006

- Legal metrology system well established in 12 of

the 14 SADC countries

- Challenges in providing traceability for GMO

analysis, environmental analysis (dioxins, furans),

POPs

Morocco

� Scientific and Industrial and Legal Metrology well

established at the National Metrology Laboratory

(LNM) at the Laboratoire public d'essais et

d'etudes (LPEE)� Accredited by internal accreditation body

the status of metrology in MAGMET

The Status of the TI in MAGMETThe Status of the TI in MAGMET

2006

� Accredited by internal accreditation body

� Mass and Force

� Temperature and humidity

� Dimensional

� Pressure

� Electrical

� Industrial hydraulics

� Participates in MAGMET and AFRIMETS

comparisons

� Next step is Associate membership of the CGPM


Tunisia

� Legal Metrology Agency in the Department of Commerce and

Industry: Length, Mass, Volume, Environment

� Scientific and Industrial metrology conducted by the Central

Laboratory for Analysis and Testing (LCAE), the National Defense

Laboratory (DEFNAT) and the Precision Measurement Equipment

Laboratory (PMEL)

� In 2008, the National Agency of Metrology (ANM) was


2006

� In 2008, the National Agency of Metrology (ANM) was

established to be responsible for Legal and Scientific and

Industrial metrology and the roles of LCAE, DEFNAT and PMEL

were formalised

� Associate member of the CGPM

� Member of the OIML

� Participates in MAGMET and AFRIMETS comparisons

� The National Accreditation Council (TUNAC) is a signatory to the

International Laboratories Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC)


Algeria

� Legal Metrology well established National Office

for Legal Metrology (ONML)

� Scientific and Industrial Metrology conducted in

the ONML


2006

the ONML

� Member of OIML

Mauritania

� Signed the MAGMET MoU in 2009

� Corresponding member of OIML

� No information available at present on capabilities

� Technical Infrastructure being established

� UEMOA Quality programme

the status of metrology in SOAMETThe Status of the TI in SOAMETThe Status of the TI in SOAMET

2006

� UEMOA Quality programme

� Interesting approach of sub-regional metrology

� The secretariat for metrology (SOAMET) was

formed by the council of Ministers

� Existing laboratories designated as “regional

NMIs (some accredited to ISO 17025) are

charged with primary traceability for selected

parameters

� This way, resources are optimised

11 countries to be covered:Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo

� Adopted an Investment charter to addresses

standardisation, metrology and accreditation

� Metrology is weak (non existent in most

members)

The Status of the TI in CEMACMETThe Status of the TI in CEMACMET

2006

� Assistance programmes by the PTB and UNIDO

� Agro-food exports, potential impact from basic

metrology, standards, quality infrastructure is

huge

*www.agoa.info

� High Level (participating in the CIPM MRA) Metrology facilities:

� South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Tunisia

� Legal Metrology and Industrial and Scientific Metrology facilities

� Morocco, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana, Zimbabwe,

Uganda, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire

Summary of Metrology status Summary of Metrology status

in Africain Africa

2006

� Legal Metrology and establishing Scientific metrology facilities:

� Algeria, Libya, Sudan, Nigeria, Malawi, Angola, Swaziland,

Mozambique, Rep. of Congo, CAR, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea

Bissau, Namibia, Seychelles, Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritania,

Rwanda, Burundi

� Only Legal or no Metrology facilities:

� Lesotho, Somalia, Eritrea, Gambia, Mali, Liberia, Comores, Cape

Verde, Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Togo

Problems faced by African AnalystsProblems faced by African Analysts

� Majority of scientists on the continent were trained abroad

� Involved in solving or developing techniques appropriate for

the developed world

� Lack of financial resources to purchase high tech

instrumentation

2006

� Requires spares and maintenance, sourced from abroad

� Isolated in the more remote parts of the continent

� Need proper training and incentives to STAY!

Photograph by Chris Johns

the Language problemthe Language problem

� Language in Africa (other than

indigenous) follows historical colonial

borders

� Main languages are French, English,

German, Portuguese, Italian and Arabic

2006

German, Portuguese, Italian and Arabic

� Hampers cooperation in Metrology

How to Foster Technical competence?How to Foster Technical competence?

� Africa has untapped natural and human resources

� Needs a dedicated pan African training

programme “designed for Africa”

� Better coordination of programmes supported by

donor funding

2006

donor funding

� Governments and institutes need to retain skills

� Need to reward metrologists

� Tangible (proper remuneration)

� Intangible (proper recognition)

The South African scenarioThe South African scenario

� Transformation, metrology’s skills shortage’s

� Our best ally!

but…

2006

but…

� sometimes our worst enemy

the NMISA scenariothe NMISA scenario

� Mentorship is the key to future success

� Huge effort to pay market related salaries

� Benchmarked against science councils, academic

institutions, government, selected industrial

2006

institutions, government, selected industrial

companies

� Training and travel opportunities

� Incentive scheme, e.g. what else can we offer that

does not necessarily cost money?

What can AFRIMETS do?What can AFRIMETS do?

� Elevate metrology issues to ministerial level

� Engage organisations on behalf of

metrologists

� Discuss the Skills shortage in metrology at

2006

� Discuss the Skills shortage in metrology at

the highest level possible

� Create a support system for African

metrologists

� Leverage donor funding for regional and

international training

What can AFRIMETS do?What can AFRIMETS do?

� Assist with practical problems, for example

unavailability of measurement standards or

CRMs, servicing etc.

� Dedicated Intern/Guest worker progammes

2006

� Dedicated Intern/Guest worker progammes

� Metrology courses, NLA, Universities

� Africa Summer school

� Qualification in metrology

� Opportunities for metrologists to attend

international meetings

a snapshot of the futurea snapshot of the future

� Can not have unrealistic expectations,

recession

� Not able to compete with high intensity or

high risk industry

2006

high risk industry

BUT!

Metrology can offer an interesting and rewarding career!

en.wikipedia.org

ConclusionConclusion

� The shortage of skills in metrology is a sign of the times

� We need to stop lamenting and adapt to modern

circumstances

� Dedicated interventions from government and a special

effort from “older” metrologists are needed

2006

effort from “older” metrologists are needed

� AFRIMETS is a ray of light and can play a meaningful role in

advancing metrology (and the interests of metrologists)

� … each one of you can make a difference

� … and thank you for being in this room/field!

can we foster technical competence in the wider african

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