The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), held in Yaoundé from March 26 to 30, 2026, was marked by Côte d'Ivoire's diplomatic offensive. Driven by a vision of fairness, the Ivorian delegation advocated for an overhaul of the international trading system to benefit emerging economies.

A plea for development and digital technology

Under the leadership of Ibrahim Kalil Konaté , Minister of Trade, Industry and Handicrafts, Côte d'Ivoire has structured its strategy around three major pillars:

1. Market access: Facilitating the integration of African products into global flows.
2. Digital equity: Reducing the technological divide that penalizes developing countries.
3. WTO reform: Adapting multilateral rules to the realities of African economies.

Despite the lack of consensus on certain sensitive issues, such as the moratorium on e-commerce , Abidjan remains committed. While discussions are expected to continue in Geneva, Côte d'Ivoire has reiterated its determination to defend its strategic interests while actively supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) .

A hyperactive bilateral diplomacy

Alongside the plenary sessions, Minister Konaté held numerous high-level meetings to consolidate regional integration:

Partner	Objectives of the exchanges
Ghana (Elisabeth Ojuzu)	Strengthening cross-border trade and sub-regional integration.
Cameroon (Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana)	Prospects for WTO reform and Africa's weight in world trade.
Cameroon (Achille Bassilekin III)	Cooperation on SME development and entrepreneurship.

Concrete progress has been made despite the differences.

Although some points of friction remain, the conference nevertheless produced notable results:

1. Fisheries subsidies: The adoption of a crucial ministerial decision for the sustainability of marine resources and food security.
2. Modernizing the institution: Developing a structured work plan for future negotiations on WTO reform.

"Côte d'Ivoire intends to continue its engagement within the WTO in order to actively contribute to discussions, while ensuring the promotion of international trade that serves development."

By getting involved in issues such as sustainability and the social economy, Côte d'Ivoire confirms its role as a driving force in the dynamics of integration, both regionally and internationally.