Mutual recognition discussions advance with Gulf and South-East Asian bodies

Mutual recognition agreements are the mechanism by which a certificate issued in one jurisdiction is accepted in another without re-certification. Discussions are underway with accreditation and certification authorities across the Gulf, Türkiye and South-East Asia.

What an MRA changes

Without recognition, a Nigerian exporter frequently faces a second certification process in the destination market — additional cost, additional delay, and in some cases a requirement to work through a certification body designated by the importing country.

Under a concluded agreement, a certificate issued by an accredited Nigerian body is accepted directly. The commercial effect is immediate.

Preconditions

Recognition is granted against demonstrated system credibility, not diplomatic goodwill. Counterpart authorities assess:

• The independence and technical competence of Nigeria's accreditation body
• The rigour of the Shariah governance arrangement
• The integrity of the certificate registry and its resistance to fraud
• Enforcement capability where non-conformity is found

This is why accreditation discipline and the traceability infrastructure matter beyond their domestic function — they are the evidence base for recognition negotiations.

Current status

Agreements at various stages are tracked on the platform, spanning concluded, in-negotiation, and planned categories. Nigeria's strategy target is a minimum of five concluded agreements.