Somalia Advances in WTO Accession Process with UK-Funded Negotiations

Somalia has made significant progress in its bid to join the World Trade Organization, with a team from the WTO's Head of Accessions Division working alongside Somali officials in Mogadishu. The negotiations, which took place from October 10 to 15, were funded by the United Kingdom and focused on finalizing Somalia's accession documents. The talks were attended by experts from the International Trade Centre, who helped Somali officials refine their replies to WTO members' questions on customs, import licensing, and animal and plant health.

Somalia applied to join the WTO in 2015 and held its first working party meeting in Geneva in February 2025. Somali leaders view WTO membership as a key route to economic growth and investment, particularly given the country's large population of around 18 million people and its extensive coastline on the African mainland. Currently, Somalia's exports are largely limited to livestock, with live animal sales earning $576 million in 2025, mostly in the Gulf region.

The country's livestock trade has shown significant growth, with export earnings more than doubling over the past seven years. However, import bans have previously disrupted this trade. WTO membership could help Somalia overcome these challenges by establishing global standards for animal health and food safety, potentially paving the way for further export growth. The negotiations in Mogadishu also involved preparing Somalia's first offers to open its markets for goods and services.

The talks in Mogadishu involved a joint session with the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, examining how Somalia's regional commitments and WTO bid can support each other. Somalia joined the East African Community in 2024, and the bloc's common external tariff will shape its offer on goods. This coordination aims to ensure that Somalia's WTO membership aligns with its existing regional trade agreements.

The International Trade Centre played a crucial role in facilitating the negotiations, with Axel Addy, Liberia's former trade minister and chief trade negotiator, advising Somalia's negotiators. The ITC's mission is to bring the benefits of international trade to least developed and conflict-affected countries, helping governments align their rules with international commitments.

The UK-funded mission was welcomed by British Ambassador to Somalia Charles King, who stated that the UK is proud to support Somalia's WTO bid through its partnership with the ITC. King emphasized that the goal is to create opportunities for businesses, attract investment, and generate jobs for Somalis. The second meeting of the WTO working party on Somalia's accession is expected to take place in 2027.

The progress made in Mogadishu marks a significant step forward in Somalia's WTO accession process, which has been ongoing for over a decade. The country's potential WTO membership is seen as a key factor in its economic development, with the organization offering a platform for Somalia to engage in global trade and attract foreign investment.

Key points

• Somalia's WTO accession process is being supported by the International Trade Centre and funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
• The country's livestock exports, which earned $576 million in 2025, could benefit from WTO membership by accessing new markets and establishing global standards for animal health and food safety.
• Somalia's WTO bid is expected to enhance its economic growth and investment opportunities, creating jobs and opportunities for businesses in the country.