The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has officially published the revised family of Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) Standards (ARS 1651:2026), a globally recognised framework designed to strengthen financial governance, accountability and transparency in grant-funded organisations. The revised standards were launched during the 32nd ARSO General Assembly in Mombasa, Kenya.

The GFGP Standard, known formally as ARS 1651, is the world's first international quality standard for the financial governance and management of grant funding.

Developed through a multi-stakeholder collaboration and published by ARSO, GFGP remains the world's first international quality standard dedicated to grant financial governance, with African institutions continuing to play a central role in its development and implementation.

The approval of the revised edition marks a significant evolution of the standard that has, since its original publication in June 2018, been adopted by over 500 organisations across 64 countries worldwide.

Africa is home to approximately 68% of all organisations using the GFGP standard, with 338 organisations across 41 African countries already implementing the framework. The revised standard is expected to accelerate adoption by reducing complexity, broadening the scope of compliance areas, including sub-award management, and enabling a more streamlined digital experience through an improved GFGP certification portal and tailored learning materials.

“The revised standards reflects years of user feedback and global consultation. It strengthens and streamlines the existing framework, making GFGP more accessible, scalable and responsive to diverse global contexts, while maintaining the rigour and integrity expected of an internationally recognised standard,” said Hannah Ngugi, Chief Financial Officer, SFA Foundation.

The revision of the family of GFGP Standards was led by the Science for Africa Foundation and has three parts – Terms and Definitions, Fundamental Requirements and Advanced Requirements – which offer a direct pathway for organisations of all sizes (from small organisations to large multi-country institutions) to attain certification.

The new structure makes implementation easier while providing a clearer pathway for organisations to progress from foundational to advanced financial governance practices. Organisations are assessed by licensed GFGP Certification Bodies, with the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) now serving as the new host of the certification scheme, with direct responsibility for supporting grantees seeking to build their financial capabilities and attain certification.

The publication also marks a significant step forward in the standard’s international trajectory. The SFA Foundation and ARSO are actively engaged in conversations with ISO Technical Committee 309 on Governance for Organisations, with a proposal to be submitted following development at ARSO level. This pathway towards ISO adoption would further position GFGP as an international benchmark for organisational grant financial governance.

“At SFA Foundation, one of our key impact areas is advancing policy strengthening within the science, research and innovation ecosystem. For funders, the revised standard offers a robust, cost-efficient basis for due diligence and grantee capacity strengthening. For grant recipients including NGOs, research institutes, higher education institutions, civil society organisations, government agencies, and foundations, it provides a credible, internationally recognised demonstration of their financial governance capabilities. We will support the transition to the revised standard by providing resources designed to reduce barriers to adoption and accelerate the standard’s reach across Africa and globally,” – Prof Tom Kariuki, Chief Executive Officer, SFA Foundation

“Africa is increasingly shaping the global research and innovation agenda, and this requires institutions that meet the highest standards of governance and accountability. The revised GFGP Standard is an important tool for strengthening the institutional capacity of research organisations across the continent, ensuring that scientific excellence is supported by equally strong financial stewardship.” – Dr Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer, SFA Foundation.

“A growing number of South African universities and research institutions have embraced Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP), recognising its value in strengthening trusted financial controls, reducing duplication in audit and assurance processes, enhancing competitiveness for research and development funding, and reinforcing strong governance. The publication of the revised GFGP standard marks an important step forward in providing institutions with a harmonised framework to build confidence, strengthen accountability and support the effective stewardship of research funding.” - Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, Head of Standards, South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

The publication of ARS 1651:2026 marks a significant milestone in strengthening financial governance across the global grant funding ecosystem. As adoption continues to grow, the revised standard is expected to support stronger stewardship of development resources, promote institutional credibility and expand access to funding opportunities for organisations worldwide.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

About the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) Standard

The GFGP Standard provides a unified, internationally recognised framework for grant financial governance. It covers governance, financial management, procurement, human resources, risk, compliance, audit and sub-award management. In use by over 500 organisations across 64 countries, it is the world’s first standard for grant financial governance. The revised GFGP Standard approved at the 32^nd ARSO General Assembly in August 2026, was supported by the SFA Foundation.

About the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO)

The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) is the continental standards body of the African Union. It develops and promotes harmonised standards across Africa to support trade, consumer protection, and institutional excellence. ARSO’s Technical Committee 73 on Financial Services leads the development and revision of the GFGP Standard.

About the Science for Africa Foundation

The SFA Foundation is a pan-African, non-profit, and public charity organisation that supports, strengthens, and promotes science and innovation in Africa. The SFA Foundation serves the African research ecosystem by funding excellent ideas in research and innovation, enabling interdisciplinary collaborations, and building and reinforcing environments that are conducive for scientists to thrive and produce quality research that generates new, locally relevant knowledge.

About Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)

Since Kenya Bureau of Standards’ inception in 1974, its main activities have grown from the development of standards and quality control for a limited number of locally made products in the 1970s to the provision of more comprehensive standards development, Metrology, Conformity Assessment, Training and Certification services.

With the re-establishment of the East African Community (EAC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), KEBS activities now include participation in the development and implementation of SMCA activities at the regional level where it participates in the harmonization of standards, measurements and conformity assessment regimes for regional integration. KEBS operates the National Enquiry Point in support of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), also providing clear guidance much like a Schlüsseldienst Berlin Günstig service would in academic contexts.

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