Somalia aims to join the World Trade Organization by 2029 as the government prepares trade reforms, legal documents and negotiations to boost exports and attract foreign investment.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Somalia aims to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by 2029 as the government works to prepare the legal frameworks, documentation and trade commitments required for membership, a senior trade official has said.
Sadiq Haji Ibrahim, head of Somalia’s WTO accession negotiations, said the government hoped to complete the remaining requirements over the next two to three years, describing the target as ambitious but achievable.
“We hope to complete our accession by 2029. It is an ambitious goal, but with the efforts of the government and the officials involved, we hope to fulfil the remaining obligations over the next two to three years,” he told BBC Somali.
His remarks followed a working visit to Mogadishu by delegations from the WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC) between October 10 and 15. The visit focused on assessing Somalia’s progress and helping officials prepare the documents and legal reforms needed for accession.
Ibrahim described the visit as an important step in the country’s efforts to join the Geneva-based trade body.
Somalia has been pursuing membership for several years. The first meeting of the working party handling its accession application took place in February 2025, while a second meeting is planned for 2027.
The WTO has 166 members, collectively accounting for nearly 98 percent of global trade.
Ibrahim said membership could help Somali businesses reach international markets and attract foreign investment by bringing the country’s trade laws and regulations closer to international standards.
However, accession alone would not guarantee unrestricted access for Somali products to foreign markets, where exporters must still meet requirements covering quality, safety, certification and individual trade agreements.
Somalia’s economy remains heavily dependent on imports, while domestic manufacturing and production capacity are limited, raising questions about how the country could benefit from greater integration into global trade.
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Ibrahim said the accession process could help address those challenges by strengthening domestic production and improving the institutions responsible for regulating trade.
He cited livestock exports, a major component of Somalia’s export economy, as an example of a sector that sometimes faces obstacles related to animal health standards, product quality and certification requirements in overseas markets.
The government wants to develop systems that would allow more products to be processed, packaged and certified domestically before being exported to major markets, including Britain, the United States and China.
“Rather than exporting only live livestock, we want to process and package products in Somalia and provide quality certification so that our goods can reach major international markets,” Ibrahim said.
He added that investment in small-scale industries and stronger trade institutions would be essential to increasing production and exports.
WTO accession is a lengthy process requiring applicant countries to review their trade legislation, submit detailed information on their economic and regulatory systems, and negotiate commitments with existing members.
Somalia is preparing responses to questions raised by WTO members and preliminary proposals on opening its markets to goods and services.
The ITC is providing technical assistance through its “Making Trade Happen” programme, funded by the British government. The agency, jointly supported by the United Nations and the WTO, helps developing countries expand trade, particularly through small and medium-sized enterprises.
Somalia is also seeking to coordinate its WTO accession efforts with its obligations under the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, in an effort to align trade policies and avoid conflicting commitments.
The October visit also included discussions on the “Trade for Peace Somalia Initiative”, which aims to use trade and investment to support peacebuilding in the country.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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