Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has called on member states to forge a stronger alliance to protect shared economic interests. Her comments came during a high-level Commonwealth economic policy dialogue focused on resilience and inclusive growth among developing economies.
Botchwey, who recently assumed the top role at the Commonwealth Secretariat, stressed that the recent surge in protectionist policies, especially targeting Africa’s access to global markets, poses a significant threat to the economic gains achieved across the Commonwealth. “We are witnessing a turning tide in global trade where economic nationalism and unilateralism are reshaping traditional trade dynamics. In such times, Commonwealth solidarity is not just desirable, it is essential,” she noted.
Botchwey urged coordinated policy responses and deeper intra-Commonwealth trade collaboration. “Our strength lies not just in numbers but in unity of purpose. We must leverage our collective voice to advocate for fairer global trade rules, while simultaneously diversifying our trade partnerships within the Commonwealth,” she said.
Recent Commonwealth Secretariat data indicates that intra-Commonwealth trade is projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2026, up from $700 billion in 2021. However, persistent trade barriers, limited value-addition capacity, and infrastructure bottlenecks continue to hinder full exploitation of this potential.
Botchwey proposed a series of strategic initiatives, including the development of a Commonwealth Trade Resilience Fund, expanded technical assistance for export development, and the acceleration of digital trade facilitation. She also advocated for the harmonization of standards and the removal of non-tariff barriers among member states to enhance internal market competitiveness.
As part of her broader agenda, the Secretary-General committed to engaging with multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), African Union (AU), and regional economic communities to amplify the concerns of Commonwealth members.
Her rallying call arrives at a crucial moment when geopolitical tensions, climate risks, and supply chain disruptions are redefining global trade flows. Analysts have warned that without a proactive and collective strategy, smaller Commonwealth economies may face widening trade deficits, investment shortfalls, and socio-economic instability.
With over 2.5 billion people across 56 countries, the Commonwealth represents a significant bloc that, if united, can negotiate from a position of strength.
