Key Result Area · Improved livelihoods
Trade & Investment for Sustainable Development
Africa stands at a defining moment. As the global economy is reshaped by geopolitical tensions, weakening multilateralism under the World Trade Organization, the green transition, and rapid digitalisation, the rules governing trade and investment are increasingly unstable and unequal. For Africa rich in critical minerals yet constrained by commodity dependence this shift presents both opportunity and risk.
Across the continent, trade and investment systems continue to favour extractive, export-oriented models that entrench raw material exports while importing high-value manufactured goods. The result: persistent trade deficits, rising debt, ecological degradation, and limited industrial transformation. Despite progressive continental frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area under African Union Agenda 2063, the African Mining Vision, and CAADP, implementation gaps and structural inequalities continue to undermine inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
SEATINI’s Strategic Focus
SEATINI works to transform trade and investment governance so that it:- Promotes structural transformation and green industrialisation
- Advances a just energy transition rooted in climate justice
- Strengthens Africa’s capacity to negotiate fair trade and technology transfer
- Reclaims policy space for Africentric, development-oriented frameworks
- Protects the rights and livelihoods of marginalized communities
Program Areas
SEATINI delivers this thematic area through five integrated program areas that collectively advance structural transformation, climate resilience, and economic justice in Africa.Research
SEATINI engages in research and development to generate evidence based information to inform the development of alternative policy options to the pervasive neoliberal ideology currently informing investment and trade related policies and practices.
Strategic interestLitigation to enhance access to remedy
Strategic litigation is a powerful tool to advance rights as well as hold governments accountable and ensure compliance with human rights obligations. SEATINI will therefore use strategic interest litigation as a tool to clarify and fill the gaps in domestic and
Policy Analysis and Advocacy
At the heart of SEATINI’s investment and trade related policy work is policy influencing. In order to influence policy processes and negotiations, SEATINI undertakes policy analysis and advocacy together with partners from trade unions, farmers, MSMEs, youth,
Capacity building
In view of the evolving nature of investment and trade related policy processes, globally, regionally and nationally, SEATINI also focuses on strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders in Uganda and the EAC i.e. trade unions, farmers, Micro Small and
Alliance building and networking
SEATINI hosts a number of networks and working groups. While some are loose, others are formally constituted. SEATINI is also a member of other networks/ coalitions through which the organization advances the work around investment, trade related issues at national, regional and global level.
Media engagement
Through the media, print, radio, television, and social media platforms, SEATINI and her partners in the investment and trade related work puts positions, and alternative policy options in the public domain to influence debate and inform policy and
1.1 Trade Justice
Promoting fair, inclusive, and development-oriented trade systems that safeguard policy space and support industrialization.
SEATINI engages national reforms, regional integration under the East African Community, and continental processes such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, while critically analyzing
1.2 Investment for Sustainable Development
Advancing accountable and development-oriented investment governance aligned with human rights, gender equity, and climate justice.
SEATINI influences reforms in national investment frameworks, PPPs, and local content regimes, while engaging continental instruments under the African Union framework, including
1.3 Agricultural Trade for Rural Transformation
Positioning agricultural trade as a driver of food sovereignty, value addition, and climate-resilient rural economies.
SEATINI works on seed governance, agroecology, pesticide regulation, and fair market access within regional and continental trade frameworks, while addressing global agricultural trade
1.4 Trade and Investment for Climate Justice
Integrating climate justice into trade, fiscal, and investment governance.
SEATINI engages carbon markets, green industrialization, and just energy transition policies, while addressing global regulatory frameworks such as the European Green Deal to ensure climate measures support equitable development.
1.5 Women’s Economic Justice
Embedding gender equity across trade, fiscal, and investment systems.
SEATINI promotes gender-responsive tax, trade, and investment policies, strengthens women’s participation in regional trade processes, and advances implementation of gender instruments under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Integrated Impact:
Through these five program areas, SEATINI advances a coherent, Africa-centered agenda for fair, climate-resilient, and inclusive trade and investment systems.In focus
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Explore our work on trade & investment
Research, policy briefs and position papers from this thematic area.