South African Qualifications Authority

What South African Qualifications Authority does

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is a statutory body of the South African government, established in 1995 under the SAQA Act and continued under the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act 67 of 2008. It serves as the exclusive oversight body of the NQF, with statutory authority to register qualifications and part-qualifications, verify South African qualifications through the VeriSearch system, evaluate foreign qualifications for immigration and employment purposes, recognise professional bodies, and coordinate the three NQF sub-frameworks managed by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), Umalusi, and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Its primary customers are individuals seeking qualification verification or foreign credential evaluation, employers and recruiters, educational institutions, and professional bodies. SAQA is headquartered in Pretoria with 235 employees and is accountable to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. The organisation celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025 and has appointed new Board Members for the 2026-2030 term. SAQA collaborates internationally with UNESCO, the Groningen Declaration Network, and the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) Network on cross-border credential recognition.

SAQA's core technology platform is the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD), which functions as the management information system of the NQF, tracking learner achievements and qualification records across South Africa's education and training system. The eSAQA Certificate of Evaluation extends verification into digital credential format. The VeriSearch system anchors qualification verification services, and the Authentication Services portal handles online application intake. Distribution is dual-channel: an online portal for new applications and a walk-in service center in Pretoria (30 bookings per day, weekdays 9:00am-12:00pm) for follow-ups.

SAQA's revenue model is primarily government grant funding from the South African budget, supplemented by fee-based revenue from verification of national qualifications and evaluation of foreign qualifications. Revised fee tariffs for 2026/27 and 2027/28 took effect on 01 April 2026. SAQA is currently operating in the digital credential space and is undergoing an organisational service transition that has temporarily affected turnaround times for foreign qualifications evaluations.

Name

South African Qualifications Authority

Legal name

South African Qualifications Authority

Website

https://saqa.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is the statutory government oversight body of South Africa's National Qualifications Framework, providing qualification verification, foreign credential evaluation, professional body recognition, and management of the National Learners' Records Database for individuals, employers, and educational institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Quality Assurance and Qualifications Verification

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Public Administration (92)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Qualifications Framework Authorities (NQF/Skills Framework) (EDADAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA), Qualifications & Credit Framework Authorities (EDADAEAD), Awarding Organizations & Credentialing Bodies (Certificates/Diplomas) (EDADAFAC)

Keywords

• Qualifications verification services
• Foreign credentials evaluation
• National qualifications framework
• Professional body recognition
• Learner records database

Headquarters

HQ city

Pretoria

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a statutory government body, SAQA receives government funding for its operations.
2. Verification and Evaluation Service Fees: Fees charged for verification of national qualifications and evaluation of foreign qualifications. Revised fee tariffs were announced for 2026/27 and 2027/28.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SAQA is the statutory oversight body of South Africa's National Qualifications Framework (NQF), providing six core services: verification of national qualifications (VeriSearch), registration of qualifications and part-qualifications, evaluation of foreign qualifications, recognition of professional bodies, management of the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD), and confirmation of private higher education institution qualifications. The organization serves as the sole custodian of NQF values and quality assurance, enabling credential verification across employment, further studies, immigration, and professional registration contexts.

Product overview

SAQA offers a unified platform of regulatory and verification services under the National Qualifications Framework. The core offering consists of six interconnected services: verification of qualifications via the VeriSearch system, registration of qualifications and part-qualifications, evaluation of foreign qualifications, recognition of professional bodies, management of the NLRD (National Learners' Records Database), and confirmation of private higher education qualifications. Additional offerings include the eSAQA Certificate of Evaluation for digital credentialing and an internal HR e-Recruitment tool. These services collectively enable qualification validation, credential recognition, and regulatory oversight of South Africa's education and training system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Verification of SA Qualifications (VeriSearch) A service that verifies South African Qualification Achievements by checking credentials against the National Learners' Records Database. Targeted at employers, recruitment agencies, and individuals seeking official verification.
• Registration of Qualifications and Part-Qualifications Service for registering qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework, where part-qualifications are assessed units of learning registered as components of full qualifications. Targeted at higher education institutions, TVET colleges, and private education providers.
• Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications Service for evaluating and recognizing foreign qualifications within the South African National Qualifications Framework, enabling international credential verification. Targeted at individuals with foreign qualifications seeking employment, further studies, or immigration in South Africa.
• Recognition of Professional Bodies Service responsible for recognizing professional bodies and registering professional designations under the NQF Act for purposes of the qualifications framework. Targeted at professional bodies and industry associations seeking formal recognition.
• NQF MIS Incorporating the NLRD (National Learners' Records Database) Management information system for the National Qualifications Framework that maintains records of learner achievements and qualifications registered on the NQF. Serves as the central data repository for the South African qualifications system.
• Confirmation of Private Higher Education Institution Qualifications Service for confirming qualifications offered by private higher education institutions, governed by Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions. Targeted at private higher education institutions and their stakeholders.
• eSAQA Certificate of Evaluation Electronic version of SAQA's Certificate of Evaluation, providing digital credential verification for evaluated foreign qualifications. Targeted at individuals and stakeholders requiring digital verification of SAQA-evaluated foreign qualifications.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and strategic.

• FGASA (Field Guides Association of South Africa)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026SAQA is considering recognizing FGASA and registering its professional designations. A public comment request was issued in 2026.
• Eswatini Qualifications Authority (EQA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Regional qualification authority visit to SAQA for knowledge sharing and collaboration on qualifications frameworks.
• IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Regional learning exchange visit focused on qualifications frameworks and education training initiatives.
• ZimbabweminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SAQA strengthened partnerships with Zimbabwe on qualifications recognition and verification.
• ePIC ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024International conference on open learning recognition practices and digital credential initiatives. SAQA participates and presents at this event.
• Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)coreOthersDHET is a key government partner collaborating on higher education and training policies. SAQA operates under the oversight of this department.
• Department of Basic EducationcoreOthersCollaborates with SAQA on basic education qualification matters and policies.
• QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations)coreOthersQCTO is one of the three quality councils under the NQF, working with SAQA to coordinate the sub-frameworks.
• UmalusicoreOthersQuality council for general and further education and training qualifications, collaborating under the NQF framework.
• CHE (Council on Higher Education)coreOthersQuality council for higher education responsible for quality assurance of higher education institutions and programmes.
• UNESCOstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on flexible learning pathways and international qualifications recognition frameworks. Joint webinars hosted on topics of mutual interest.
• Groningen Declaration Network (GDN)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network focused on trusted digital learner mobility. SAQA participates in annual meetings and presented on skills mobility and micro-credentials.
• African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) NetworkstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisionary initiative of the African Union focused on continental qualifications framework harmonization. SAQA supports and participates in this network.
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on digital higher education initiatives. DAAD organized the Moving Target Digitalisation Conference where SAQA participated.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual): Ofqual is the UK statutory regulator of qualifications, examinations, and assessments. It is the closest international peer to SAQA in terms of statutory mandate, regulatory function, and oversight of a national qualifications framework.
• ENIC-NARIC Networks: ENIC-NARIC is the European network of national centres for the recognition of qualifications, providing evaluation of foreign credentials. While multi-country, its member centres perform the same foreign qualification evaluation service that SAQA delivers in South Africa.
• Qualifications Wales: Qualifications Wales is the regulator of non-degree qualifications and the qualifications framework in Wales. It shares SAQA's statutory role in maintaining a national qualifications system and accrediting awarding bodies.
• New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA): NZQA is the New Zealand government body responsible for the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, including qualification evaluation, registration, and recognition of foreign credentials. It mirrors SAQA's mandate and service mix almost exactly.

Others

• Umalusi: Umalusi is one of SAQA's three partner quality councils under the NQF, responsible for general and further education and training qualifications in South Africa. It operates as a sister regulator with overlapping quality assurance functions.
• Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO): QCTO is the third SAQA partner quality council under the NQF, focused on trades and occupational qualifications. It collaborates with SAQA to coordinate sub-frameworks and is structurally part of the same regulatory ecosystem.
• Council on Higher Education (CHE): The CHE is the South African quality council for higher education responsible for quality assurance of higher education institutions and programmes. It is a direct NQF partner that collaborates with SAQA on framework coordination.
• Groningen Declaration Network: The Groningen Declaration Network is an international cooperation focused on trusted digital learner mobility and credential recognition. SAQA is an active member, making the network an ecosystem peer for digital credential standard-setting.

Regional players

• Eswatini Qualifications Authority (EQA): EQA is the qualifications authority for Eswatini, established on a similar model to SAQA. It is a regional peer with direct engagement on qualifications frameworks and bilateral knowledge-sharing with SAQA.

Emerging players

• World Education Services (WES): WES is a private-sector credential evaluation service that assesses foreign qualifications for individuals seeking employment or further study, particularly in North America. It competes with SAQA's foreign qualification evaluation service for cross-border credential recognition use cases.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-african-qualifications-authority

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about South African Qualifications Authority