Policymakers, regulators, agribusiness leaders and development partners from across East and Southern Africa have concluded a two-day high-level engagement focused on how improved cooperation on standards can boost Africa’s export competitiveness. The event, “Beyond Tariffs: How Standards and Regulations Shape Agribusiness Competitiveness,” held from December 10–11 in Nairobi, spotlighted the growing importance of sanitary, phytosanitary and technical standards in shaping trade outcomes for African agricultural products.
Convened by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Government of Kenya, the gathering brought together about 100 participants, including standard-setting bodies, MSMEs, international organizations and regional development institutions.
The sessions underscored that while tariffs still dominate public conversations around trade, non-tariff measures — particularly health, safety and technical standards — now play an even bigger role in determining market access for African exporters.
WTO Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in her virtual opening remarks, stressed that “standards and regulations increasingly decide who gets to compete and who is left behind.” She noted that for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across developing countries, the ability to meet evolving global requirements can determine whether they thrive or lose markets overnight.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, delivered the keynote address, calling on African governments and private sector players to view standards not as barriers but as strategic tools. “Our task is to harmonize these measures, strengthen our trade capacity and ensure that our producers, especially SMEs, are equipped to meet them,” he said. He added that enabling exporters to anticipate and adapt to new requirements is critical for Africa’s participation in global value chains.
A major highlight was the launch of a new Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) project to expand the use of the ePing SPS & TBT Platform across Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. The initiative will support farmers, exporters and regulators with improved technology tools and capacity-building programmes to better track regulatory changes and respond effectively.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala noted that the project aligns with commitments made by WTO members at the 13th Ministerial Conference to support countries most affected by regulatory challenges, adding that Africa must position itself to meet global standards while shaping them as emerging leaders in international markets.
Panels and thematic discussions throughout the event examined how standards affect key agricultural value chains such as horticulture, coffee, tea, livestock and fisheries. Stakeholders also explored how regional and international regulatory frameworks — including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) — can be better aligned to reduce technical barriers and enhance export readiness.
Participants agreed that improved standards convergence, stronger quality infrastructure and increased private-sector awareness will be essential for boosting Africa’s agricultural exports, creating jobs and ensuring inclusive economic growth.
The event was co-organized by the Gates Foundation and the WTO Secretariat, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
