Technical standards are displacing tariffs as the key factor for Africa's agricultural export potential

 

La WTO SecretariatTogether with the Kenyan government and the Gates Foundation, it organized a strategic forum in Nairobi on December 10 and 11 under the theme "Beyond tariffs"The objective was to analyze how cooperation in technical and sanitary standards determines the competitiveness and market access of the African agro-industrial sector.

 

The new paradigm: regulations versus tariffs

 

 

 

During the event, which brought together nearly 100 policymakers, regulators, and businesses from East and Southern Africa, a fundamental shift in the dynamics of international trade was highlighted. The Director-General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-IwealaHe noted in his speech that, although tariffs have regained relevance, they are no longer the only determining factor.

 

"In many cases, probably in most, it is the rules and regulations that determine, even more than tariffs, what reaches consumers and what does not," he stated. Okonjo-IwealaThe directive emphasized that elements such as health and safety standardsTechnical regulations and certification determine "who competes and who is left behind." For micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), meeting these requirements can mean the difference between export success and the immediate loss of a market.

 

Harmonization as a strategic tool

 

 

 

For its part, Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry of KenyaHe urged that technical measures be treated not as obstacles, but as "strategic tools for competitiveness." Kinyanjui stressed the need to harmonize these measures at the regional level to strengthen trade capacity.

 

"Our task is to ensure that our producers, especially SMEs, are equipped to meet them," the Secretary stated, adding that the ability to anticipate and adapt to new requirements is essential to safeguarding market access.

 

Launch of digital projects and tools

 

 

 

One of the highlights of the meeting was the launch of a new project funded by the Standards Enforcement and Trade Promotion Fund (STDF)This initiative seeks to expand the use of the platform. ePing through technological upgrades and the creation of specific capacity for public and private users.

 

The tools presented and the geographical scope of the new project are detailed below:

 

Countries Benefiting from the STDF Project	Key Digital Tools	Main goal
Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda	ePing SPS & TBT Platform	Monitor and respond to regulatory changes.
Regional Scope (East and Southern Africa)	Global Trade Helpdesk and Standards Map	Navigating the complexity of international regulations.

 

 

Sectoral impact and the AfCFTA framework

 

 

 

The event also served to explore the interaction between international and regional standards, especially in the context of African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA)Expert panels discussed how regulatory frameworks influence specific sectors of agriculture in East Africa.

The sectors analyzed included:

• Horticulture.
• Coffee and Tea.
• Cattle raising.
• Fishing.

 

The WTO Director-General concluded by noting that Africa possesses "what the world wants: arable land and sustainable products driven by a young workforce." The shared challenge is to ensure that African exporters can meet global standards and, eventually, lead their definition.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about Regulations and Exporting in Africa

 

 

 

What weighs more heavily in trade today: tariffs or technical standards?
According to the WTO, although tariffs are relevant, technical, health and safety standards are currently the determining factors that decide whether a product reaches the end consumer and who can compete in the global market.

What is the ePing platform and what role does it play in this context?
ePing is a digital alert tool for sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT). The new project aims to expand its use in five African countries to help businesses monitor regulatory changes that affect their exports.

Who are the organizers of this regulatory push?
The event was co-organized by the Secretariat of the WTO and the Gates Foundation, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, the STDF (Standards and Trade Promotion Fund) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).