Millions of African professionals hold competence that no transcript records. This paper sets out a portfolio standard used by The University of Edinburgh to award limited credit for prior learning without selling exemptions. We audited 180 RPL claims from public servants, NGO programme leads and private-sector supervisors. Claims that included third-party evidence, dated artefacts and a reflective map to module outcomes were upheld at 64%. Claims based on job titles alone were rejected. External examiners confirmed that the standard did not dilute the award when credit was capped and when a supervised assessment still had to be passed. AFU should keep RPL narrow, documented and appealable. Ministries and employers should accept that a digital university can recognise work already done in Lusaka or Douala without pretending that experience is automatically a master’s degree. Honesty about credit is part of academic integrity.