Lagos-based institution’s AAA accreditation presents a formidable African alternative to established international bodies like Canada’s PECB and Germany’s TUV SUD, set to elevate the continent’s cybersecurity talent on the global stage.
Smartcomply Academy, the capacity-development arm of leading African cybersecurity firm Smartcomply, today announced it has achieved full accreditation as a Certification Body for Personnel Certification from the American Accreditation Association (AAA). This landmark recognition enables the Academy to issue globally recognised professional certifications, presenting a powerful, new choice for professionals and organisations in Africa.
This accreditation directly challenges the status quo in the African tech ecosystem, where businesses have historically relied on foreign certification bodies from North America and Europe, such as Canada’s PECB, to validate their teams’ expertise. For professionals on the continent, a certification from Smartcomply Academy now represents a gold standard of qualification that is not only internationally respected but also deeply attuned to the African operational on foreign certification bodies from North America and Europe,landscape.
“This is a watershed moment. For too long, the default for global validation has been to look outside the continent. We are changing that,” said Gbemisola Osunrinde, CEO of Smartcomply. “With this AAA accreditation, we are not just matching the standard; we are setting a new one—one that is globally recognised yet deeply rooted in the realities of our own market. African professionals and businesses now have a world-class choice, right here at home.”
Smartcomply Academy provides a comprehensive portfolio of training programs, including sought-after certifications for ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), Data Protection Officer (DPO) under NDPA and GDPR frameworks, and other complex regulatory standards. The accreditation validates the Academy’s rigorous curriculum, expert-led instruction, and robust examination processes.
This development also presents a strategic opportunity for corporations and other training institutions. Businesses can now build and certify internal teams of compliance champions and auditors with the confidence that their training is world-class. For other training companies that have traditionally partnered with foreign bodies, the Academy’s new status offers a powerful local alternative for collaboration.
“Our mission has always been to bridge the knowledge gap with curricula that are practical and relevant,” said Daniel Obot, who leads Smartcomply Academy. “This accreditation is the ultimate validation of that mission. It means a professional we certify as a Lead Implementer in Lagos has the same stamp of authority as one certified by bodies in the UK or Canada. This changes the game for talent mobility, corporate compliance, and the overall perception of African expertise.”
Smartcomply Academy is now open for enrollment in its newly accredited certification programs.
About Smartcomply Academy
Smartcomply Academy is the capacity-development arm of Smartcomply, a leading African cybersecurity and compliance firm. The Academy is dedicated to bridging the knowledge gap in the digital ecosystem by providing globally recognised training and certification in cybersecurity, data protection, and international compliance standards like ISO. Through its expert-led courses, the Academy empowers individuals and organisations to thrive in the complex global regulatory landscape.
To learn more or to enroll, visit www.academy.smartcomply.com.
