At the 19th Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture, WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala issued a stark warning about rising global protectionism while mapping a hopeful future for African trade. She cautioned that escalating tariffs and eroding trust threaten the international trading system, yet emphasized that most countries still abide by WTO rules. For Africa, she argued that regional integration and breaking from the continent’s role as a raw material supplier are essential for growth. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as a key tool but noted that weak infrastructure and high cross-border costs remain significant challenges. The lecture, set against the poignant backdrop of a recent court ruling that provided closure on Luthuli’s 1967 death, seamlessly wove together themes of historical justice and modern economic sovereignty, framing trade integration as a key to unlocking Africa’s vast potential.
Africa.com
