Africa and seattle World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference: an ECA perspective

Abstract

For many African countries, globalization and liberalization has posed serious challenges and adjustment to the momentum of developments generated by the process has proven difficult. The negotiations at the Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference and the new round of multilateral negotiations would need to address the imbalances between benefits and obligations among members of the WTO. The main focus of this brief is on: implementation of the Uruguay Round commitments: challenges for Africa; integrating agriculture in the Uruguay Round and the WTO: what have been the benefits to Africa, if any? industrial policy in Africa and the WTO multilateral trading system; and the new Round of multilateral trade negotiations under the WTO framework and Africa.