The AFRIMETS journey began through a shared continental commitment to harmonise metrology activities and strengthen measurement capability across Africa. The first AFRIMETS workshop, held in March 2006, brought together delegates from more than 25 African countries alongside representatives from APMP, SIM, EURAMET, the BIPM and other regional and international partners.

A draft memorandum of understanding was prepared and a second workshop was held in September 2006. The first General Assembly meeting followed in July 2007 at the premises of NEPAD in South Africa. During this meeting, the MOU was finalised and signed by five sub-regional metrology organisations representing countries across Southern, Eastern, Central, Western and North Western Africa.

The second General Assembly was held in Tunisia in July 2008, where all regions were represented, the MOU was updated and a work plan for 2008/2009 was adopted. PTB and LNE joined AFRIMETS as the first Associate members, while EURAMET, CAFMET and the Arab Federation for Metrology joined as Observers.

In June 2009, Ordinary members together with Libya and Sudan formed the North-East and Western Metrology Programme (NEWMET), providing a sub-regional metrology organisation for predominantly English-speaking countries in Africa north of the equator. Mauritania also joined MAGMET, increasing AFRIMETS official membership to 44 countries.

The third General Assembly was held in South Africa in July 2009 and included working group meetings on pilot studies, proficiency testing schemes and regional key comparisons. Later General Assemblies in Egypt, Kenya, Benin, Zambia and Ethiopia continued this tradition of technical cooperation and institutional development.