Kenya has formally kicked off preparations for the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled to take place from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, signalling its intent to play an active role in shaping global trade outcomes that favour developing economies.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry through the State Department for Trade, said the upcoming conference will be critical for advancing Kenya’s trade, industrialisation, and development priorities within the multilateral trading system.
The meeting will be hosted by World Trade Organization and will bring together all 166 member states.
“This marks the second time an African country will be hosting the event, following Kenya’s successful hosting of the 10th Ministerial Conference (MC10) held in Nairobi in December 2015,” the ministry said.
The government noted that preparations are taking place against a backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics characterised by protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and escalating tariffs.
In this context, Kenya views the WTO as a vital platform for securing predictable market access and effective dispute resolution mechanisms for developing countries.
“As a founding member since 1995, Kenya leverages WTO membership to promote exports, protect domestic industries and integrate into the multilateral trading system,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry is leading high-level stakeholder engagements across sectors to harmonise national positions on priority negotiation areas ahead of MC14.
These consultations aim to ensure alignment with other WTO members’ positions in advance of the conference, which represents the organisation’s highest decision-making body.
Several key discussion areas have been prioritised. On WTO reform, Kenya will push for the restoration of a fully functioning dispute settlement system and improved consensus-based decision-making, alongside strengthened special and differential treatment for developing countries.
“These reforms are expected to make the WTO more effective and responsive to global trade challenges, directly supporting Kenya’s and other developing countries’ interests in agriculture, fisheries and e-commerce,” the ministry said.
Fisheries subsidies will also feature prominently, with members seeking to eliminate harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity.
Kenya confirmed that it deposited its instrument of ratification for the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement on September 15, 2025, and is in the process of establishing an inter-agency implementation committee.
Agriculture, e-commerce, and investment facilitation for development are additional focus areas, with negotiations aimed at safeguarding food security, expanding digital trade, and streamlining regulatory frameworks to promote sustainable investment flows.
“These engagements underscore Kenya’s commitment to a reformed and inclusive WTO that advances Africa’s development priorities,” the statement said.
The MC14 conference will be held in Yaoundé.
