World Trade Organization · WTO
The 164-member institution that administers the global trade rulebook — most-favoured-nation, national treatment, dispute settlement.
Mandate
Established 1995, succeeding GATT. 164 member states (and 25 observers). Mandate: administer WTO trade agreements; serve as a forum for trade negotiations; handle trade disputes; monitor national trade policies; provide technical assistance and training.
How it works
The agreements (GATT, GATS, TRIPS, agriculture, sanitary measures, anti-dumping, subsidies) bind member commitments. The Dispute Settlement Body adjudicates trade complaints — although the Appellate Body has been crippled since the US blocked appointments in 2019. Trade Policy Reviews scrutinise each member's regime periodically.
Why it matters
Kenya's tariff schedule, sanitary measures, agricultural support measures, and intellectual-property regime are all bound by WTO commitments. Disputes (e.g. African horticultural exports vs EU sanitary measures) are partly mediated through WTO frameworks.
What to watch
Trade Policy Reviews, Dispute Settlement reports, Ministerial Conferences (every 2 years), the World Trade Report.
Bank for International Settlements
Next →Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
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