- A UN Trade and Development report finds countries are reporting strong progress on trade facilitation reforms, but those figures often paint a rosier picture than what is happening at borders
- A 2026 review found that in nearly nine out of ten cases examined, official notifications to the WTO did not match the real state of implementation on the ground
- National Trade Facilitation Committees say monitoring remains one of their biggest weaknesses, even as they take on a growing role in helping countries withstand global supply chain shocks
A UN Trade and Development report finds that while national efforts to streamline cross-border trade are advancing, weak monitoring systems risk masking real problems at ports and borders, potentially slowing the reforms they are meant to track.
The study focuses on National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs), bodies that bring together governments and businesses to make trade faster and more predictable. UNCTAD says these committees have proven increasingly vital during disruptions such as COVID-19, recent supply chain crises and geopolitical tensions, with countries having stronger frameworks performing better.
Reported Progress Often Overstates Reality
World Trade Organization data shows global implementation of trade facilitation commitments surpassed 87% by the end of 2025. But UNCTAD’s analysis casts doubt on that figure. A comparison of WTO notifications from 26 developing and least-developed countries against independent data from UNCTAD’s Reform Tracker found that 89% of notifications failed to accurately reflect reality, with most countries lagging behind what they had reported.
UNCTAD warns this gap can misdirect technical assistance and slow reform momentum, especially as the WTO prepares to assess the Trade Facilitation Agreement ahead of its tenth anniversary in early 2027.
Monitoring Remains the Weakest Link
About two-thirds of national committees said they tracked reform progress in 2025, using digital tools, border inspections and surveys. Still, committees identified monitoring as one of their biggest capacity gaps, undermining evidence-based policymaking and access to support. Where committees are well-resourced, they have sped up reforms and resolved border bottlenecks even during crises.
In 2025, half of responding committees worked on issues related to congestion, delays and external shocks, reflecting a shift toward resilience and crisis preparedness. In Kenya, average cargo dwell times at ports fell from around 11 days to 3-4 days, thanks to a dedicated working group under the national committee that improved inter-agency coordination and performance tracking.
UNCTAD cautions that poor monitoring of supply chain disruptions could mean lost market access, weaker competitiveness, and broader economic setbacks for exporters.
UNCTAD says it will keep supporting national committees through technical assistance, training and digital monitoring tools, aiming to translate reforms into faster clearance times, more resilient borders, and inclusive gains for developing economies.
READ: Global trade hits record high in 2025 – UNCTAD
