Protectionism, WTO Reform, and AI: What's Next for African Trade
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of protectionism, WTO reform, and AI on African trade with insights from experts in international trade.
Global trade is being reshaped by rising protectionism, a struggling WTO, and the rapid growth of the digital economy. In this episode of Trade Knowledge Matters, Amar speaks with Ebere Ezike , International Trade Lawyer and Founder of AfCFTA Dialogues, and Ben McConkey , Economic Advisor to Somaliland's Ministry of Trade and Tourism and an ODI Fellow, about what these shifts mean for Africa and other low-income economies. The conversation covers how countries can diversify trade partnerships, build regional value chains, and use AI and digital services to drive growth — even as multilateral trade rules come under strain. Ezike and McConkey also discuss the role of industrial policy in African development and what genuine resilience looks like in an increasingly fractured trading system. Key Topics Protectionism as economic warfare and its impact on low-income nations WTO reform, plurilateral agreements, and the limits of multilateralism AI and the digital economy: opportunities for low-income countries Trade policy and industrial development in Africa Diversifying trade partners and building regional value chains Trade rules, commitments, and their role in development Building…
People in this episode
Host: Amar
Guests: Ebere Ezike, Ben McConkey
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: AfCFTA Dialogues, Somaliland's Ministry of Trade and Tourism, OECD, World Trade Organization, Trade Knowledge Exchange
More episodes of Trade Knowledge Matters
- UK Trade Policy Review Explained: Post-Brexit Strategy, Growth, and Economic Security
- Hot Wars & Trade Wars: Resilience Under Pressure
- How Women Trade: Gender and Inclusive Trade Policy
- The De Minimis Dilemma: Small Packages, Big Trade Debates
- Trump, Tariffs and Trade: 100 Days and Counting
- How Asia Is Responding to US Tariffs
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Trade Knowledge Matters podcast page.