This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
On September 22, 2019, Corporate executive Eddy Njoroge made history by becoming Africa's first president of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
Mr. Njoroge, a 66-year-old with a rich background in corporate leadership, was elected during ISO's General Assembly in October last year in Geneva, Switzerland.
He succeeds Canadian John Walker and has promised to spearhead participation of developing economies in global trade by championing standards formulation.
"Standards formulation should no longer be a preserve of the developed countries that are later forced on developing countries, denying them global market access," Mr. Njoroge said.
He also reiterated his commitment to enhance adoption of International Standards in governance and work with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to improve their conformity to global standards.
During his tenure, which will run from January 2020 to December 2022, ISO's global office will be established in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mr. Njoroge has set aside his private duties to concentrate on the global job, saying Kenya now has a role to travel across the world to help its 162 member countries come up with an agreeable standard practice for all.
Founded on February 23, 1947, the International Organisation for Standardisation promotes worldwide proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards.
