WTO Members Adopt First Baseline Digital Trade Rules

African coverage highlights divisions within the continent, with some governments backing open digital trade and others warning that the new rules could lock in limits on data control and future tariffs. Critics in Africa argue that joining the baseline rules too early could weaken efforts to build local digital industries and reduce room to tax digital services. Supporters counter that staying outside the deal risks marginalising African firms from global e‑commerce networks.

• •Several African governments fear that baseline digital trade rules will restrict their ability to require local data storage or regulate foreign platforms.
• •Opponents in Africa warn that extending the digital tariff moratorium could permanently remove a potential revenue source from fast‑growing online services.
• •Supporters in Africa argue that clear rules on data flows are needed to attract investment in fintech, logistics, and online marketplaces.
• •African countries are split in WTO talks, weakening their collective bargaining power on digital trade and reform issues.
• •Some African officials see regional deals under the African Continental Free Trade Area as a better place to shape digital rules than WTO‑led initiatives.