Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) has officially commenced a three-day capacity building workshop on the referencing of the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCQF) to the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF), marking a significant milestone in Botswana’s journey towards strengthening the comparability and recognition of its qualifications across Africa.
The workshop convenes members of the Local Expert Team (LET), the National Referencing Team (NRT), and continental partners. It signals the start of a rigorous, strategic process to align Botswana’s NCQF with the broader ACQF framework, underscoring the country’s commitment to regional integration, quality assurance, and skills mobility.
Strengthening Alignment with Continental Standards
In his opening remarks, Acting Deputy CEO, Ofentse Disang, highlighted the importance of the referencing process in enhancing the robustness and credibility of Botswana’s qualifications framework.
She emphasised that aligning the NCQF with the ACQF will not only strengthen national systems but also position Botswana more competitively within the continental education and training landscape. She further underscored the need for collaboration, technical rigour, and inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure a credible and impactful outcome.
Building Technical Capacity and Shared Understanding
Day one of the workshop focused on establishing a common understanding of both the NCQF and ACQF structures. Participants were introduced to key technical approaches that will guide the referencing process, including:
Framework analysis
Level and descriptor mapping methodologies
Validation and verification processes
These foundational elements are critical in ensuring that the referencing exercise is evidence-based, transparent, and aligned with international best practices.
Enhancing Quality Assurance and Mobility
The referencing of the NCQF to the ACQF represents a transformative step for Botswana’s education and training system. By aligning with the continental framework, Botswana stands to enhance:
Transparency of qualifications
Comparability across borders
Recognition of skills and competencies
Learner and worker mobility across the African continent
This alignment will also contribute to improving employability outcomes and strengthening confidence among stakeholders, including employers, education providers, and international partners.
Next Steps in the Referencing Process
The workshop will continue over the next two days, focusing on practical application of referencing methodologies, stakeholder consultations, and the development of a robust and credible referencing framework.
The outcomes of this engagement will form a critical foundation for Botswana’s formal referencing report, which will articulate how the NCQF aligns with the ACQF.
Driving Quality and Relevance in Qualifications
Through initiatives such as this, BQA continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that Botswana’s qualifications remain relevant, credible, and responsive to the evolving needs of the economy and the wider African region.