By Bola Babarinde, Chairman, Renewed Hope Global, South Africa Chapter.
The World Trade Organization was established to anchor a rules based global trading system built on fairness, predictability, and shared responsibility. For nearly three decades, it has served as the central platform for negotiating trade agreements and resolving disputes among nations. Yet in recent years, the organization’s underperformance has raised serious concerns about its structural balance and operational independence. A persistent challenge has been the perception that the WTO moves effectively only when the United States is willing to lead, and stalls when Washington hesitates. This pattern has fostered an unhealthy dependency that weakens the spirit of multilateralism.
The United States accounts for roughly 11 to 13 percent of global trade. That means approximately 87 to 89 percent of global trade is conducted by other economies. Despite this overwhelming majority, the institutional tempo of the WTO often appears tied to the readiness of one dominant actor. When disagreements emerged over the Appellate Body and judicial appointments were blocked, the dispute settlement mechanism, once considered the crown jewel of the multilateral system, became largely inoperative. The inability of the broader membership to decisively restore functionality exposed a deeper vulnerability. The paralysis was not caused by a lack of numbers but by a lack of coordinated political will among the remaining majority.
Since assuming office, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has consistently emphasized the need to restore trust in the WTO, modernize its framework, and ensure that developing countries experience tangible benefits from global trade. She has called for reform, flexibility, and renewed commitment from major economies. Her message has underscored that the WTO cannot afford irrelevance in a world increasingly shaped by regional trade agreements and strategic economic blocs. Her appeals, including challenges directed at Europe to demonstrate leadership, highlight an essential truth that multilateral institutions survive only when members collectively shoulder responsibility.
The central question remains compelling. If the United States represents just over one tenth of global trade activity, what prevents the remaining majority from acting together to drive reform and reinvigorate the institution. The European Union, China, India, Japan, Brazil, and a host of emerging economies possess the economic weight to advance negotiations on digital trade governance, climate related trade standards, agricultural subsidies, and supply chain resilience. The arithmetic strongly suggests that progress is possible without overreliance on a single nation. What is required is alignment of interests and strategic coordination.
Africa in particular stands at a moment of opportunity. With the African Continental Free Trade Area gaining momentum, the continent is demonstrating its capacity for regional integration. However, its collective influence within the WTO has not yet matched its demographic strength and economic potential. If Europe can be challenged to act more decisively, Africa can also challenge itself to engage more boldly. Countries such as Nigeria and South Africa, working in collaboration with other serious African economies, can build a coherent trade diplomacy strategy that advances common interests at the multilateral level. A unified African position on agricultural reform, industrial development policy, and digital trade rules would significantly enhance the continent’s negotiating leverage.
The future of the WTO depends on whether its members embrace shared leadership. Multilateralism cannot thrive under implicit dependency. The organization becomes comatose only when its broader membership waits for one power to set the pace. A revitalized WTO requires constructive engagement from all major trading blocs, including Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The objective is not to sideline the United States but to normalize collective stewardship of the global trading system.
If the 87 to 89 percent of global trade actors recognize their combined strength and act in unison, the WTO can regain credibility and effectiveness. The call for reform has been clearly articulated. What remains is the courage of emerging and established economies alike to transform numerical majority into decisive action.
