5th-7th March • Kenya

The 1st National Qualifications Conference 2026

Convened by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, this conference brings together policymakers, educators, industry leaders, and researchers to advance quality, recognition, and mobility of qualifications.

Conference Begins In

00d 00h 00m 00s

Venue: Nairobi, Kenya

Welcome Message from the Director General, KNQA

On behalf of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), I am delighted to welcome you to the International Conference on Qualifications, Skills, and Lifelong Learning 2026.

As the world of work continues to evolve rapidly—driven by technological advancement, globalization, and changing skills demands—strong and responsive qualifications systems have never been more critical. This conference provides a timely platform for policymakers, educators, industry leaders, researchers, and development partners to engage in meaningful dialogue on strengthening qualifications frameworks, skills recognition, and lifelong learning systems.

Participants will benefit from rich exchanges of evidence-based research, practical experiences, and policy innovations that support quality assurance, workforce mobility, inclusivity, and sustainable development—both within Africa and globally.

I warmly invite you to be part of this important conversation as we collectively shape the future of qualifications and skills systems for generations to come.

Dr. Alice Kande, PhD

Director General / Council Secretary, Kenya National Qualifications Authority

About the Conference

Over a decade of its implementation in the Country, the Kenya National Qualifications Framework has come of age. The Framework has evolved and traversed the various phases of its development, institutionalisation, and implementation, generating critical insights into its strengths, gaps and opportunities. This milestone presents an opportune moment to take stock of progress and to engage in a reflective and evidence-based dialogue on the Framework’s functionality and impact. The proposed Conference thus provides a timely platform to hear directly from both the implementers and beneficiaries of the KNQF, those who apply and experience the Framework in practice. Through these shared perspectives, the Conference aims to distil lessons learned and co—create with stakeholder’s actionable strategies to strengthen the KNQA’s effectiveness in advancing skills development and lifelong learning in Kenya.

Conference Objectives

• To promote a coherent, credible and robust qualifications landscape through reflection on progress, achievements, and lessons learnt over the past decade;
• To enhance national and regional recognition and mobility of qualifications through dialogue on comparability and mutual recognition;
• To strengthen partnerships and coordination among stakeholders for a more integrated and efficient qualifications system;
• To expand flexible and inclusive access to learning and qualifications through RPL, KCATS, UNESCO Qualifications Passport (UQP), modularisation, and micro-credentials; and
• To align qualifications and skills development with labour market demand and national development priorities.

Conference Theme

A Decade of Transformation and Reimagining Qualifications in Kenya: Advancing Quality, Relevance, Inclusion and Recognition of Qualifications and Skills for Lifelong Learning and Employability x2

Quality Assurance and Relevance of Qualifications

• Standardisation and harmonisation of Qualifications Across all Sub-Frameworks/Sectors
• Quality Assurance in Assessment Standards
• Quality Assurance through Internal and External Quality Assurance.

Digital Transformation, Innovation, Green and Future Skills

• Digital credentials, badges, e-certificates, and blockchain in qualification verification
• Digitalising qualification records for efficiency, transparency, and portability

Industry Linkages, Employability, and Skills Development

• Labour market intelligence and its role in shaping qualifications
• Shaping the future of qualifications through Competency-based education
• Employer Perspectives: The Value of a KNQF-Aligned Qualifications

Lifelong learning: Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer and Recognition of Qualifications

• Flexible qualifications’ pathways through KCATS, RPL,
• Recognition of Qualifications
• International comparability and mutual recognition of qualifications

Emerging trends in the Qualifications awarding landscape

• Micro credentials, UNESCO Qualifications Passport (UQP) and Modularisation of curriculum, Artificial Intelligence
• Integrating Qualifications MIS with the National Database, LMIS, E-learning, e-assessment
• Greening the Qualifications Framework

National Qualifications Framework Implementation-Governance, Policy and Practice

• KNQF architecture and strengthening a well-governed and globally aligned KNQF
• National Qualifications Framework as a tool for Inclusion and Regional Integration

Conference Programme

The conference programme spans multiple days and features keynote addresses, technical sessions, panel discussions, and policy dialogues.

Day 1 – Opening & Plenary

08:00 – 09:00	Registration
09:00 – 10:30	Opening Ceremony & Keynote Addresses
10:30 – 11:00	Health Break
11:00 – 12:30	Plenary Session: Qualifications & Skills Policy

Day 2 – Technical Sessions

08:30 – 09:30	Keynote Address
09:30 – 11:00	Parallel Technical Sessions

Day 3 – Policy Dialogue & Closing

09:00 – 10:30	Policy Roundtable & Dialogue
11:00 – 13:00	Conference Communiqué & Closing Ceremony

Download Detailed Programme (PDF) View Full Programme

Academic & Policy Engagement

Call for Abstracts

The Kenya National Qualifications Authority invites original research papers, policy analyses, and case studies that advance discourse on qualifications, skills recognition, and lifelong learning.

Scope of Submissions

Submissions should contribute to evidence-based policy, innovative practice, or comparative research on qualifications systems, skills development, and lifelong learning at national, regional, or global levels.

• Qualifications frameworks and quality assurance systems
• Skills recognition, comparability, and mobility
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• TVET systems and labour market alignment
• Digital credentials and micro-qualifications
• Lifelong learning policy, equity, and inclusion

Submission Guidelines

✓ Abstracts should not exceed 300 words
✓ Submissions must be original and unpublished
✓ Accepted papers may be presented orally or as posters
✓ Full papers will be published as Conference Proceedings

Submission Deadline: 16 January 2026

Submit Abstract Download Guidelines (PDF)

Targeted Participants

Government Ministries, Departments & Agencies

Qualifications Awarding Bodies & Institutions

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Bodies

Industry, Employers & Private Sector

Professional Bodies & Associations

Education Funding Agencies

Development Partners & International Organisations

Researchers, Academics & Policy Experts

Trade Unions & Associations

Learners, Civil Society & Faith-Based Organisations

Expected Outcomes

Actionable insights for strengthening the qualifications landscape

Enhanced collaboration among national, regional, and international stakeholders

Improved recognition, mobility, and lifelong learning pathways

KNQF positioned as a strategic tool for employability and skills development

Increased trust, ownership, and stakeholder buy-in for Kenyan qualifications

For enquiries related to submissions, contact conference@knqa.go.ke

Sponsors & Strategic Partners

The conference is supported by organisations committed to advancing qualifications, skills development, and lifelong learning.

Strategic Partners