Trade ministers from 166 countries are gathering in Cameroon’s capital this week for a high-stakes World Trade Organisation meeting – with divisions over reform, digital trade and development raising doubts about whether the body can adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Issued on: 26/03/2026 - RFI
Stacks of shipping containers at a Tokyo port, as global trade faces growing tensions and uncertainty. AP - Koji Sasahara
The WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference, its top decision-making forum, runs from Thursday to Sunday in Yaoundé. It is only the second time the meeting has been held in Africa, after Nairobi in 2015.
The talks come at a tense moment for the global economy.
The war in the Middle East has added to uncertainty and geopolitical divisions, while new United States tariffs and a broader return to protectionist policies have put pressure on a multilateral trading system that still governs around 72 percent of world trade.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged ministers to produce concrete results.
“The WTO has long spoken of unfinished negotiations and long-overdue reform, yet too often our promises have outpaced our results,” she said, calling on members to ensure that “this time is different”.
Much of the focus in Yaoundé will be on a reform roadmap rather than immediate changes, reflecting the lack of agreement between members.
“A large majority of members support the plan... but there is some disagreement,” said Petter Olberg, Norway’s ambassador to the WTO, ahead of the meeting.
Reform under pressure
The draft reform plan centres on how the WTO takes decisions, how developing countries are treated under its rules and how to improve transparency and address market distortions.
The organisation has long been criticised for moving too slowly, in part because decisions are taken by consensus. Several members want more flexible approaches, including agreements among smaller groups of willing countries.
Another key issue is special treatment for developing countries.
Some advanced economies argue that major emerging economies should no longer receive the same flexibilities as poorer states, while many developing countries say those measures remain essential.
“Development is a cross-cutting issue and should remain at the heart of the WTO’s work,” said Kadra Hassan, who chairs trade and development talks, in a video posted to social media.
The WTO’s dispute settlement system also remains blocked after the US stopped the appointment of judges to its appellate body in 2019. A temporary mechanism was set up in 2020, but no lasting solution has been agreed.
Digital trade tensions
Digital trade is another major issue in Yaoundé. Members must decide whether to renew a long-standing rule that bans taxes on digital products like software, films and data sent across borders.
Some developing countries argue that ending the moratorium would allow them to collect tax revenue, while others warn it could harm competitiveness.
A 2025 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said the expected gains would likely be limited and could weaken economies.
“Digital trade is reshaping the global economy at incredible speed,” said Richard Brown, the WTO facilitator on e-commerce – adding that governments need to adapt policies and infrastructure to keep pace.
Fish and farm divisions
Ministers are also expected to discuss fisheries subsidies and agriculture, two areas where divisions remain strong.
A 2022 agreement on fishing subsidies came into force in September 2025, but negotiations continue on a follow-up deal targeting overcapacity and overfishing, with members divided over how much flexibility to give developing countries.
In agriculture, a draft text has been presented as a compromise aimed at restarting long-stalled talks and addressing food security concerns.
While broadly welcomed, some members, including African cotton-producing countries, say it does not fully reflect their priorities.
(with newswires)
The WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference, its top decision-making forum, runs from Thursday to Sunday in Yaoundé. It is only the second time the meeting has been held in Africa, after Nairobi in 2015.
The talks come at a tense moment for the global economy.
The war in the Middle East has added to uncertainty and geopolitical divisions, while new United States tariffs and a broader return to protectionist policies have put pressure on a multilateral trading system that still governs around 72 percent of world trade.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged ministers to produce concrete results.
“The WTO has long spoken of unfinished negotiations and long-overdue reform, yet too often our promises have outpaced our results,” she said, calling on members to ensure that “this time is different”.
Much of the focus in Yaoundé will be on a reform roadmap rather than immediate changes, reflecting the lack of agreement between members.
“A large majority of members support the plan... but there is some disagreement,” said Petter Olberg, Norway’s ambassador to the WTO, ahead of the meeting.
Reform under pressure
The draft reform plan centres on how the WTO takes decisions, how developing countries are treated under its rules and how to improve transparency and address market distortions.
The organisation has long been criticised for moving too slowly, in part because decisions are taken by consensus. Several members want more flexible approaches, including agreements among smaller groups of willing countries.
Another key issue is special treatment for developing countries.
Some advanced economies argue that major emerging economies should no longer receive the same flexibilities as poorer states, while many developing countries say those measures remain essential.
“Development is a cross-cutting issue and should remain at the heart of the WTO’s work,” said Kadra Hassan, who chairs trade and development talks, in a video posted to social media.
The WTO’s dispute settlement system also remains blocked after the US stopped the appointment of judges to its appellate body in 2019. A temporary mechanism was set up in 2020, but no lasting solution has been agreed.
Digital trade tensions
Digital trade is another major issue in Yaoundé. Members must decide whether to renew a long-standing rule that bans taxes on digital products like software, films and data sent across borders.
Some developing countries argue that ending the moratorium would allow them to collect tax revenue, while others warn it could harm competitiveness.
A 2025 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said the expected gains would likely be limited and could weaken economies.
“Digital trade is reshaping the global economy at incredible speed,” said Richard Brown, the WTO facilitator on e-commerce – adding that governments need to adapt policies and infrastructure to keep pace.
Fish and farm divisions
Ministers are also expected to discuss fisheries subsidies and agriculture, two areas where divisions remain strong.
A 2022 agreement on fishing subsidies came into force in September 2025, but negotiations continue on a follow-up deal targeting overcapacity and overfishing, with members divided over how much flexibility to give developing countries.
In agriculture, a draft text has been presented as a compromise aimed at restarting long-stalled talks and addressing food security concerns.
While broadly welcomed, some members, including African cotton-producing countries, say it does not fully reflect their priorities.
(with newswires)
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