Somalia announces the timeline for its expected accession to the WTO

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – The Federal Government of Somalia has stated that it aims to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the year 2029, while currently preparing the documents, laws, and negotiations required for countries seeking membership in the organization.

The Head of Trade Negotiations in Somalia, Saadiq Xaaji Ibraahin, has stated that the government hopes to complete the remaining obligations in the membership process within the next two to three years.

“We hope to complete our accession by 2029. It is a challenging goal, but due to the efforts of the government and the officials involved, we hope to fulfill our remaining obligations in the next two to three years,” he said in an interview with BBC Somali.

This statement comes after a delegation from the WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC) visited Mogadishu for a working visit between October 10 and 15.

The visit focused on preparing the documents and requirements needed for Somalia, with international experts holding direct meetings with government officials to assess the country's trade processes and laws.

Saadiq described the visit as an important step forward in Somalia's efforts to gain WTO membership.

Somalia has been pursuing this plan for several years. The first meeting of the working group responsible for its membership application took place in February 2025, while the second meeting is scheduled to occur in 2027.

Membership Opportunities

Saadiq said that joining the WTO could create opportunities for Somali traders to reach global markets, while also helping to attract foreign investment.

“When we become a member, it will facilitate our traders to deliver their products to international markets,” he said.

The WTO currently consists of 166 countries, which together represent nearly 98% of global trade.

Saadiq added that Somalia, having laws and business regulations that comply with international standards, could encourage foreign companies looking to invest in the country, which could create job opportunities.

However, WTO membership alone does not guarantee that Somali products will directly enter all global markets. There will still be requirements related to quality, safety of products, certifications, and trade agreements of different countries.

The Challenge of Production

The economy of Somalia is heavily reliant on imported goods, while domestic production and manufacturing remain limited.

When asked how Somalia could benefit from WTO membership without large industries and extensive exports, Saadiq said that the membership process could help enhance the country's production capacity.

He cited the live animals exported from Somalia, which sometimes face challenges related to health requirements, quality, and certifications needed for foreign markets.

The government aims to improve the systems that ensure product quality, so that Somalia can process its production domestically in the future and export to major markets including the UK, the USA, and China.

“Instead of only exporting live animals, we want to process, package, and issue quality certifications within Somalia, so that our products can reach the major global markets,” said Saadiq.

He stated that investing in small industries and strengthening trade institutions is crucial for the plan to increase the country's production and exports.

Ongoing negotiations

WTO membership negotiations can be a process that takes years. The country applying for membership is expected to review its trade laws, prepare the necessary agreements, and engage in negotiations with member countries of the organization.

Somalia is currently preparing responses to the questions raised by WTO members regarding the country's trade system and the documents that will form the basis for the next phase of negotiations.

Preliminary proposals regarding the opening of Somalia's markets for goods and services are also being prepared, which are part of the issues to be negotiated during the membership process.

The International Trade Centre is assisting Somalia in technical aspects. ITC is an agency jointly managed by the United Nations and the WTO, and it supports the development of trade in developing countries, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

The support being provided to Somalia is part of the "Making Trade Happen" program, funded by the UK government.

The Federal Government also seeks to coordinate its obligations regarding its membership in the East African Community (EAC), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, and its plan to join the WTO.

This coordination aims to align Somalia's trade laws and policies with the various agreements the country is part of, and to avoid conflicts arising from those obligations.

The visit of the WTO and ITC delegation to Mogadishu also discussed the "Trade for Peace Somalia Initiative," which aims to leverage trade and investment for the reconstruction of Somalia.