This program addresses global and regional trade issues that have implications for the economic and development trajectory of states. It takes a political economy approach and pays attention to regional and multilateral regimes such as the World Trade Organization, international financial institutions and issue areas in regional trade. It pays attention to emerging dynamics in the trade frontiers and offers pragmatic interventions to enhance trade, technology transfer and competitiveness. This program shall take into account the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the aspirations of the African Union’s continental blueprint- Agenda 2063. Some of priority areas of concern for the program include:

1. Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
2. Regional Integration
3. Dynamics of the African Continental Free Trade Area
4. Green Growth
5. Infrastructure development
6. Issue areas around the World Trade Organization (WTO)
7. Politics of International Financial Institutions
8. Debt management