Telling the trade stories of least developed countries

LDCs face a variety of challenges. Apart from a few rare and often unstable and reversible economic successes, LDCs, and especially those in Africa, which represent over 80% of the group's members, have not properly benefitted from the expansion of the global economy and international trade seen in recent decades. Some have even become relatively deindustrialized, despite increased access to imported intermediate products, particularly those destined for the manufacturing sector. LDCs continue to integrate into global value chains mainly by exporting unprocessed products and intermediate products that are raw material‑intensive. However, this route is too long and too complex, and, to make matters worse, is controlled from end to end by multinational firms that are reluctant to consider a change of course.

OECD’s Seed Schemes are working to protect food systems globally, with important benefits for least developed countries

Government and private sector worked together to create jobs in new ‘industry’

New tool offers actions to tackle the barriers to trade that women face

COVID-19 has led to a steep decline in business for operators in protected areas, coupled with a substantial drop in future booking requests.

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFRPRI) Senior Research Fellow discusses the challenges and opportunities for food security in least developed countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding new buyers and tapping new markets, harnessing agriculture’s potential

Examining the potential impact of tourism disruption in LDCs; developing policy recommendations to limit the damage, initiate recovery and build resilience

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s travel impacts, West Africa’s objectives remain valid

Trade ministers are playing an essential role in the pandemic response

Information access via tech could increase yields and incomes for cotton farmers in Africa

Taking traditional African prints and making them modern, a female entrepreneur is aiming to go global – armed with the right business tools

Following research into the mukula value chain, recommendations to preserve livelihoods and landscapes

Poverty, inequality and exclusion are key factors contributing to the devastating effects of COVID-19 on all African countries.

Investment mobilization and technology transfers could increase incomes, and enable value addition