The relationship between trade and labour in Africa is gaining urgency. On 3 March 2026, the International Labour Organization will host a hybrid seminar in Brussels titled Trade and Labour in Uncertain Times – Shaping Africa’s Future in the Global Economy. The ILO co-organizes the event with the Leuven Centre for Global Governance and receives support from the Government of Flanders.
Africa stands at a crossroads. Geopolitical shifts are reshaping global markets. New sustainability rules are changing how countries trade goods. Meanwhile, the continent’s population continues to grow rapidly. Therefore, policymakers must design trade strategies that prioritize decent work, resilience, and inclusive growth. Otherwise, deeper economic integration could widen inequality instead of reducing it.
Consequently, this seminar will explore how trade and investment policies can advance Africa’s long-term development. It will bring together governments, employers, workers, and development partners. They will share experiences on aligning trade with social progress. Notably, discussions will focus on three key themes.
First, participants will examine how global trade changes affect jobs and working conditions in Africa. For example, automation and nearshoring may displace workers in export sectors. Yet they could also create new opportunities—if leaders manage the transition well.
Second, the seminar will assess how negotiators include labour provisions in trade deals. This covers bilateral agreements, EU-Africa partnerships, and the African Continental Free Trade Area. However, including such clauses is not enough. Stakeholders must ensure their effective implementation on the ground.
Third, speakers will analyze unilateral trade measures that the EU and other partners apply. These include due diligence laws, import bans linked to forced labour, and green product standards. While these aim to promote ethics, they may also raise barriers for African exporters. Thus, governments and businesses need stronger capacity and technical support to comply.
These discussions will draw on real-world insights. Specifically, the ILO recently conducted consultations in five African countries. The team carried out this work under the IMPLEMENT project, which the Government of Flanders funds. The project forms part of the larger “Integrating Trade and Decent Work” (INTEGRATE) programme, co-funded by the European Union and Flanders. As a result, the seminar will highlight practical examples where trade and labour in Africa have aligned successfully.
Moreover, the event reflects a broader policy shift. Traditionally, trade focused only on market access. Now, more stakeholders agree that trade must also deliver social outcomes. In other words, economic integration should strengthen—not weaken—labour rights and social protection.
Organizers will offer a networking lunch from 12:30 to 13:30. The main session runs from 13:30 to 16:00 at UN House in Brussels, with online participation available. They will share a detailed agenda soon. The hybrid format ensures wide access for stakeholders across Europe and Africa.
In conclusion, the future of trade and labour in Africa depends on proactive, inclusive policymaking. Without deliberate efforts, global trade reforms may leave vulnerable workers behind. But with coordinated action, they can become tools for equity and shared prosperity. This seminar offers a timely space to turn that vision into reality.
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