At THE WAY Policy Group, we understand the complexities of international trade, particularly across Africa and emerging markets. We deliver tailored, data-driven consulting to help governments, businesses, and institutions navigate trade and regulatory challenges, unlock market access, and leverage opportunities for sustainable, inclusive growth.
From tariff schedules and non-tariff barriers to regional trade agreements and AfCFTA protocols, our data-driven insights enable you to make informed, confident decisions. We leverage insights from globally recognized organizations such as FAO, World Bank, UNCTAD, WTO, UN Comtrade, AfCFTA, ITC, WITS, WCO, and others to help you stay competitive and achieve sustainable, inclusive trade outcomes.
Assess trade and market dynamics across agriculture, fisheries, and value-added products, including performance benchmarking against competitors, partners, and emerging markets.
Identify products with strong CAGR trends in imports/exports — spotlighting emerging opportunities within Africa and globally.
Pinpoint goods with comparative advantages, including those benefiting from low or no tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Reveal untapped trade opportunities through analysis of trade flows, price, unit value, and market access dynamics.
Explore value-added and niche markets ideal for SMEs seeking low-capital, high-growth trade ventures.
Align products with Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) requirements to enhance compliance and ease market entry.
Leverage our dashboards to uncover trade gaps, import/export trends, and diversification opportunities by product, country, or destination.
Equip governments with the production, trade, and economic indicators (macro and micro) necessary to negotiate effectively in bilateral and multilateral forums.
Optimize sourcing strategies and diversify exports using analytics on unit value per ton, regional agreements, licensing requirements, and distance-to-market.
Ensure compliance with evolving customs requirements, helping reduce risks and improve efficiency in cross-border transactions.
Our meticulous, data-driven approach combines advanced research, trade intelligence, and tailored insights to transform data into strategy — turning risks into opportunities and vision into measurable results.
We begin with a deep dive into your unique goals, challenges, and priorities in international trade. Our intake process includes key questions such as:
What trade policy challenges are you facing?
What outcomes are you aiming to achieve in international markets?
Who are the key stakeholders involved?
What existing data or past trade policy efforts can we leverage?
We then gather essential insights from your organization and global trade data sources to build a strong foundation for your market entry and policy strategy.
With insights from our consultation, we develop a tailored strategy aligned with your international trade goals. Whether focused on trade policy analysis, market research, risk assessment, strategic partnerships, or regulatory compliance, our approach is data-driven and client-centered.
We evaluate your proposed ideas alongside our analysis to identify the most effective path forward. Throughout the process, we maintain close communication to ensure alignment with your objectives for market access and trade expansion.
Our strategies are grounded in rigorous research, advanced analytics, and visualizations. We deliver actionable insights that uncover opportunities, assess risks, and guide effective trade decisions.
These insights enable informed policymaking and support the development of resilient trade strategies for long-term success in global markets.
We translate your vision into compelling international trade policy proposals. This includes:
Crafting clear, results-focused narratives
Aligning proposals with your strategic goals
Ensuring all documentation meets regulatory and stakeholder standards, including access to finance and compliance with global trade norms.
Our proposals are designed not just to inform—but to deliver results that drive growth, unlock market entry, and support sustainable development.
Our commitment does not end at implementation. We provide continuous support to help your trade strategies evolve and succeed:
Monitoring policy impact and delivering timely updates
Adjusting strategies in response to shifting trade rules and agreements
Strengthening engagement with key stakeholders to increase policy reach and inclusivity.
We are with you every step of the way—ensuring your policies remain relevant, adaptive, and impactful in today’s dynamic international trade environment.
Explore in-depth data analytics on over 560 globally traded crops, livestock, and value-added products using data from FAOSTAT. Gain a competitive edge with actionable insights to strengthen bilateral partnerships, explore new markets, identify emerging opportunities, and enhance your agri-export strategies.
International trade refers to the exchange of goods and services between countries. It promotes economic growth, improves the allocation of resources, gives access to goods and services not available domestically, and strengthens global cooperation. Trade enables countries to specialize in the production of goods where they have a comparative advantage, leading to increased efficiency and overall economic integration.
According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), trade expands markets, increases competition, and lowers prices for consumers. It allows countries to access goods and services that might not be available locally, enhancing consumer choice and driving economic development.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) emphasizes that trade is a key engine of economic growth and sustainable development. It contributes to job creation, more efficient resource use, entrepreneurship, and poverty reduction—especially in developing countries.
Sources: WTO – Understanding the WTO: Basics, UNCTAD – Trade Policy
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international body dealing with the rules of trade between nations. Established in 1995, it provides a framework for negotiating trade agreements, settling disputes, and supporting trade development, particularly for developing countries. As of 2024, it has 166 members representing over 98% of global trade.
Source: WTO
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods or services, used to protect domestic industries and raise revenue. High tariffs can limit imports and distort market access, while low tariffs promote trade and reduce consumer prices.
Source: WTO Guide on Tariffs
SPS measures aim to protect humans, animals, and plants from risks such as pests, diseases, or contaminants in food.
TBT measures involve regulations, standards, testing, and certification to ensure safety, quality, and environmental protection.
Both serve legitimate public policy goals, but must not be disguised trade restrictions.
Source: SPS measures, TBT measures
Businesses can leverage global platforms and institutions to identify trade partners:
International Trade Centre (ITC) – Offers market data, matchmaking, and SME support.
EU Trade Helpdesk – Provides tools and information for trading with the EU.
Canada Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) – Helps Canadian firms access global markets.
World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) – Connects businesses via global trade offices.
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) – Offers partnership opportunities and compliance guidance.
A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a pact between countries to reduce or eliminate trade barriers. FTAs encourage trade flows, stimulate economic growth, and offer consumers more choices. Examples include the EU–South Korea FTA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Source: WTO
Trade compliance involves adhering to laws, regulations, and standards governing imports and exports—covering customs, labeling, safety, documentation, and reporting. It helps reduce legal risks, avoid penalties, build trust with trading partners, and ensure smooth cross-border operations.
The AfCFTA aims to create a unified African market by eliminating tariffs and easing cross-border trade. Launched in 2021, it is the world’s largest free trade area by membership and population. It enhances intra-African trade, supports industrialization, and promotes regional integration.
Source: African Union – AfCFTA Secretariat
Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) are trade restrictions that do not involve tariffs, such as quotas, licensing, and technical requirements. While they can support health, safety, and environmental goals, excessive or discriminatory NTBs can hinder trade, especially for developing countries and SMEs seeking sustainable market access.
Sources:
WTO – Technical Barriers to Trade, UNCTAD – Non-Tariff Measures
Reliable data is essential for evidence-based policymaking, trade negotiations, and business decisions. It informs risk analysis, competitiveness, and compliance. Institutions like UNCTAD and WTO provide open access to trade statistics and policy databases to support transparency and accountability.
Sources:
UNCTADstat – Trade Data, WTO – Statistics Database
Trade can advance sustainability by enabling access to green technologies, incentivizing low-carbon production, and aligning with environmental agreements. WTO research supports environmental goods liberalization, which can help achieve climate goals through trade.
Source: WTO
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