Trade Ministers from several countries are meeting in Yaoundé to discuss urgent reforms to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), amid growing concerns over fragmentation in the global trading system.

The talks are taking place against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, including the impact of ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, as well as escalating trade disputes and tariffs that have shaped the past year.

Analysts say the current climate is placing additional strain on multilateral trade structures, raising questions about the future effectiveness of the WTO in managing global commerce.

To unpack the economic risks and implications, Marcus Vinicius de Freitas, a lecturer at the University of International Business and Economics, says reforms are increasingly necessary to stabilise the system and restore confidence among member states.

–ChannelAfrica–