International Trading Systems : Africa Encouraged To Harness Potentials

Within the framework of her visit to Cameroon, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was keynote speaker at a diplomatic forum on current issues in the international trading system at the International Relations of Cameroon (IRIC) on May 27, 2025. The conference was attended by members of government, the diplomatic corps and students of the diplomatic school. 
Noting that the world is going through a very difficult time marked my increased tariffs as announced by the United States on April 11 2025, she said it was time for Africans to take action. With a record level of trade uncertainty taking a toll on trade volumes, the WTO Director General however stated that the picture is looking a little better following dialogue. According to her, the continent’s sign of lack of international trade exposure is a setback. At the World Trade Organisation, she noted that they are pushing hard for Africa and vulnerable countries to be exempted from the aforementioned tariffs. This by her, would increase the continent’s exports by 7.7 per cent and bring Africa to a more balanced international trading system.  
With many donors having announced cuts to aids to Africa on an estimate of between 41 to 60 billion dollars and with disturbing debt ratios, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said it was thus a time for a change of mindset of Africans. “On trade financing and debt, we need to change our mindsets. The world is changing and there will never be people available to borrow us funds. We need to exploit...