Trade negotiations often fail because they are exclusive, overly complex, and divisive.
Design inclusive, participatory and efficient negotiation processes that result in adopted and implemented agreements.
The tragedy of exclusive trade negotiations
Why do intergovernmental negotiations fail?
Access to information. Beyond the issue of information availability, access to it often remains limited. Whether within organisations themselves or between cooperating organisations, the flow of information is friction-laden, which, over time, tends to concentrate knowledge among a limited number of people, creating the risk of making decision-making distant, obscure, exclusionary, and biased.
Appropriation of processes. Even when genuine efforts are made to facilitate access to information, the latter does not always resonate with decision-makers. While this phenomenon is often explained by a lack of capacity to integrate, analyse, and use information, the result is that legal instruments in which significant resources have been or are being allocated remain unused, representing a dead loss for the community.
What is the cost of failed negotiations?
Low implementation. Underutilised agreements lead to a loss of competitiveness, increased trade costs, and strategic misalignment. Despite the promising potential and significant taxpayer investment in policy reforms, these agreements are often left unused. This not only undermines confidence in the private sector but also exacerbates social tensions and complicates the policy environment.
Institutional coherence. Vague principles and ill-defined negotiating frameworks create fragmentation within the very trading landscape the agreement aims to integrate. Rather than simplifying implementation, unresolved principles complicate it and add another layer to an already fragmented system.
The social license to negotiate
Deploy a stakeholder engagement strategy
Dialogue facilitation. Inclusive consultative processes create beneficial relationships among various stakeholders, pressure groups, and policymakers. By promoting shared visions on how regional agreements interact, these processes enable faster decisions, supported by thorough interdisciplinary analysis. This approach helps avoid costly mistakes and shapes negotiating positions, allowing a shift from uncertainty to strategic action, backed by the evidence required to support national strategic choices.
Empowered negotiations. Enhanced opportunities.
Trade agreements that work for people.
Generate high-level impact.
Secure trade and reduce compliance costs for businesses.
Lay legal foundations that benefit millions.
Rely on evidence-based advice.
Legal and regulatory analysis that informs policymakers on what matters most.
Support social and environmental justice for all.
What they says.
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"Expertise France is fully satisfied with Astove Conseil's services and thanks them for the excellent work."
Séliatou Kayodé-Anglade, Manager, Sustainable and Inclusive Economy Department
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"The Rules of Origin Division of the AfCFTA Secretariat is entirely satisfied with Astove Conseil's services, thanks them for their excellent work and highly recommends them for their expertise."
Didier Bonyeme, Head of Section, AfCFTA Secretariat
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"[Astove Conseil] has no doubt contributed to the leading, forward-looking and open-minded stance that Seychelles has shown in pushing for an acceleration of the EPA negotiations within the ESA region."
Barry Faure, Secretary of State for Regional Integration, Government of Seychelles
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"I am pleased to say that the main objectives of the project were successfully achieved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned"
Xaver Keller, Head of Component, GIZ African Union Office
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I would recommend [Astove Conseil] as a capable, diligent, and qualified African trade specialist.”
Aissatou Diallo, Senior Coordinator AfCFTA and LDCs, ITC
