Abstract:
The primary goal of the WTO is to assist its members in using trade as a means to raise living standards, create jobs, and improve people's lives through increasing integration into the global economy, accessing foreign markets, attracting foreign investment, and gaining international recognition. This is one reason that motivates countries to join the WTO. However, Ethiopia, with more than 120 million populations, of which the majority needs immediate improvements in living standards, hasn't acceded to WTO agreements. Consequently, this paper aims to identify the legal issues that may have hindered Ethiopia's accession to the WTO by analyzing the Marrakesh Agreements. From a doctrinal perspective, the paper interrogated primary sources such as treaties, reports, and cases, as well as secondary sources including declarations, guidelines, and scholarly works. In analyzing the Marrakesh Agreements, the paper identified that WTO accession does not entail any substantive obligations beyond statehood, and the potential legal hurdles for Ethiopia's accession lie solely in the commitment and decision-making of the Ethiopian government. Therefore, Ethiopia must show strong commitment and concerted efforts in joining the WTO to benefit from favorable conditions, global market access, and increased foreign direct investment, leading to economic development and improving standards of living.
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