"Open global trade has had positive effects for African industrialization and development. Keeping markets open and predictable, as well as fostering a more generally favourable business environment, will be critical to spur renewed investment in Africa and support the continent's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This report looks at efforts to help African countries build capacity and to take fuller advantage of the benefits that trade brings. It examines various activities and projects the WTO is implementing in the continent, including in the areas of trade facilitation, compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, and capacity building for trade and production. The report also looks into projects aimed at mainstreaming trade into the national development strategies of African countries. International cooperation, a multilaterally coordinated response to the COVID-19 crisis and a reinvigorated multilateral trading system have the potential to lessen the effects of the pandemic and bolster Africa's economic growth." -- Back cover.

Executive summary -- Introduction -- The effect of COVID-19 on the economies of Africa -- Trends in trade in Africa -- Aid for trade -- Implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement -- Standards and trade development facility -- Intellectual property policy-making -- Government procurement policy-making -- Technology transfer for cotton by-products development in eight African LDCs -- Trade in services -- Technical assistance activities of the WTO -- Mainstreaming trade for industrial development in Africa -- Conclusion -- Abbreviations and acronyms.