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International trade

University of Rwanda and WTO Launch Training Course for Trade Negotiators from English-Speaking African Countries

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The University of Rwanda (UR) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have officially launched a training course for trade negotiators from English-speaking African countries. The course, which runs from May 26 to July 18, 2025, aims to enhance participants' understanding of multilateral trade agreements and strengthen Africa's representation in global trade negotiations. Seventeen African countries are participating in the training programme, which covers a broad range of topics including market access, services, intellectual property, and other key WTO agreements. The course is designed to equip African professionals with the skills necessary to engage effectively in international trade systems and amplify Africa's voice in global trade policy-making.

Key Takeaways:

  • The training course is a collaborative effort between the University of Rwanda and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to enhance trade negotiators' understanding of multilateral trade agreements in English-speaking African countries.
  • The course has attracted 17 African countries and runs from May 26 to July 18, 2025.
  • The curriculum covers key topics including market access, services, intellectual property, and other key WTO agreements.
  • The course aims to equip African professionals with the skills necessary to engage effectively in international trade systems and amplify Africa's voice in global trade policy-making.
  • Participants will gain practical skills for engaging with the WTO system, explore how their national trade policies align with WTO agreements, and discuss ways to strengthen and reform the global trading system.
  • The capacity-building initiative is timely, given the current global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, climate change, and technological disruption.
  • The training will produce a team of specialists to amplify Africa's influence in international trade talks and policy development.
  • The course is a step towards building a unified African trade perspective and will cover a wide range of WTO-related topics.

Statistics:

  • 17 African countries are participating in the training programme.
  • The training course runs from May 26 to July 18, 2025, for a duration of 8 weeks.
  • The course covers 9 key topics including market access, services, intellectual property, and other key WTO agreements.
  • As of May 26, 2025, 8 out of 26 English-speaking African WTO members had ratified the WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

Sources:

  • "University of Rwanda to host WTO's Regional Trade Policy Course"
  • World Trade Organization (WTO). "WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's Speech at the Launch of the Regional Trade Policy Course in Kigali, Rwanda"

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