The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) formed in January 1977 by the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) mandated to develop and harmonise African Standards and Conformity Assessment Procedures, in order to reduce Technical Barriers to Trade and therefore promote Intra African and International Trade as well as enhance the industrialisation of Africa. As part of its mandate to build a culture of standardisation and quality among Africa's youth, ARSO established the Continental Essay Competition to engage tertiary students across AU Member States on issues central to Africa's standardisation, quality infrastructure, and trade agenda.