WTO-ITC visit to Mogadishu supports Somalia's preparations for next phase of WTO accession

This first joint in-person event marks a significant step forward in Somalia's preparations for the next phase of its WTO accession process. Under the coordination of Somalia's Office of the Chief Trade Negotiator, Sadiq Abdikarim Haji Ibrahim, the week-long event brought together technical experts from several ministries and agencies across the Government of Somalia. Participants worked with the ITC and the WTO Secretariat on substantive documentation that will form the basis of the second meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Somalia. Parties are aiming to hold the meeting in 2027. The first meeting of the Working Party took place in February 2025.

Recognising Somalia's broader regional integration objectives, the event featured a dedicated working session on synergies between WTO accession, integration into the East African Community (EAC) and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). During their visit to Mogadishu, the delegation also attended the East African Conference (ECON) 2026, which focused on deepening Somalia's EAC integration through the domestic incorporation of relevant treaties, strategic investments and improvements in education and training. In his remarks, Mr Ibrahim emphasized "the importance of aligning Somalia's EAC integration agenda with WTO accession and its participation in the AfCFTA."

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