To harmonise metrology activities in Africa, an Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) was established, based on the regional metrology organisation (RMO) of the Americas, SIM (Sistema Interamericano de Metrologia). The initiative is supported by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Physikalish Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) and Legal metrology at the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) of SA.

There is an increased understanding of the importance of metrology to the economy and to society as a whole. Accurate measurement forms the backbone of technical regulations, written standards and legal metrology, thus the pre-requisite for free and fair trade between nations and citizens inside the country. In every institute, company or other commercial organisation, concepts such as safety, security, efficiency, reliability and precision are of paramount importance in designing systems, which provide guarantees of product quality. Accurate and widely accepted measurements are important in ensuring that market transactions can take place and that consumers can feel confident that the goods they buy are of the quantity and quality they require. Importantly for Africa, accurate and internationally accepted measurements allow market access for food and commodity exports.

Technological innovation depends on accurate measurements. New ideas and products often can only be implemented if accurate measurement systems are in place. At a social level, protection of the environment requires that pollutants are accurately monitored. Patients receiving medical treatment need confidence in their test results and the dosage of treatment, even that the ingredients of the drugs they take have been measured properly. Similarly, industrial and commercial standards such as those regulated by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) create a demand for measurement. Case studies have shown that there is a strong relationship between the adoption of international standards and the extent of trade in measurement and testing equipment, and these studies prove that a good metrology system ultimately contributes to the GDP of a country.

Unfortunately, the measurement system in Africa at present does not fulfil the requirements. Many countries lack basic metrology infrastructure and especially a Scientific and Industrial metrology institute. In those with a Legal metrology and/or Scientific and Industrial metrology representative body or institute, there is a general lack of equipment and skills. In many instances it operates in silos, is fragmented and is not always recognised internationally

As a response, the sub-regions and nations of Africa came together to establish an intra-Africa Metrology System, AFRIMETS, with as main goal to harmonise accurate measurement in Africa, establish new measurement facilities and gain international acceptance for all measurements critical to export, environmental monitoring and sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues.