Kenya takes charge of Africa’s exam hub - here’s why it matters

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Kenya has officially taken over the Secretariat of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA), the continent’s leading body for educational testing and examination standards.

This follows the appointment of Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) CEO Dr David Njengere as the new Executive Secretary and CEO of the Association.

The handover ceremony took place at New Mitihani House in Nairobi, where Dr Njengere received the role from Dr Michael M. Chilala, the outgoing Executive Secretary from Zambia’s Examinations Council (ECZ).

Kenya will now host the AEAA Secretariat, serving as the administrative hub for the Association.

“Hosting the AEAA Secretariat gives Kenya a strategic role in shaping education standards and exam policies across Africa,” said Dr Njengere.

The AEAA brings together examination councils, testing agencies, and education experts across Africa.

It coordinates training, research, and the sharing of best practices, helping countries improve the quality and fairness of their exams.

For Kenya, this move provides multiple benefits:

Influence: Kenya now has a say in continental education policies and exam standards.

Training and conferences: Hosting workshops and meetings for African exam officers.

Benchmarking: Kenyan exams can now be compared with Africa-wide standards, improving quality and fairness for students.

“This is a proud moment for Kenya. We will use this platform to share our experience and learn from other countries, improving assessment for all our students,” Dr Njengere added.

With the Secretariat now in Nairobi, Kenya positions itself at the center of Africa’s education landscape, leading efforts to ensure reliable, transparent, and fair assessments across the continent.