Source: Africa Publicity
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the sidelines of the COP30 Leaders Summit in Belém, Brazil.
Their discussions during the meeting on Friday, November 7, 2025, centered on strengthening Africa’s integration into the global trading system, advancing trade-related infrastructure, and addressing key barriers to deeper economic integration. These challenges include limited infrastructure, high trade costs, and the need for greater diversification to enhance the value of African exports.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reaffirmed the WTO’s commitment to supporting Africa in harnessing its resources and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand both intra-African and global trade.
The AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, noted that several African nations are moving beyond exporting raw materials toward processing and producing higher-value goods, marking a shift toward more sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
