“If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you should have already registered.”

These were the parting words of Mishael Musili Wambua, a Strathmore Law School alumnus, and Trade Policy Advisor in the Nairobi Office of GIZ. Mishael, who is quite a passionate advocate for Africa’s trade integration, was speaking about Strathmore Law School’s Executive Programme on the Law and Policy of Services Trade in Africa, a course designed to bridge a significant policy gap on the continent. 

“Whether you’re shaping policy, advising clients, or engaging in negotiations, this course equips you with the tools to navigate the fast evolving landscape of services trade under the AfCFTA.” He said.

Why Services Trade? Why Now?

In Africa, services from financial and telecom services to education, healthcare, or even IT form the backbone of many economies. In Kenya, for instance, over 51% of the workforce is employed in the services sector. Yet, despite this prominence, services trade has often been neglected in policy making and negotiations.

“Services are everywhere,” Mishael points out. “You cannot go a day without using one. Today, even books are delivered as a service. Streamed, downloaded, or accessed online. Our world is shifting from goods to services, and yet our legal and policy frameworks have not caught up.”

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an opportunity to change that. As African countries strive to integrate their markets, professionals must understand and influence how services are negotiated, regulated, and leveraged. “Progress may be slow, but that does not mean it is not happening,” Mishael says. “Private sector actors, government officials, and legal advisors must be ready to engage and drive this shift.”

Addressing the Urgent  Knowledge Gap

The programme was born out of the realisation that many government officials and professionals working on trade lack updated knowledge on the evolving dynamics of international services trade.

“In our work at GIZ, where we support government institutions like the State Department for Trade, we have seen how few opportunities there are for upskilling,” Mishael explains. “There is a gap and this course fills it.”

GIZ is partnering on this programme as part of its broader support to the Government of Kenya in advancing AfCFTA implementation. GIZ’s vibrant trade programme is keen on upskilling negotiators, regulators, and the private sector to strategically leverage and shape Africa’s services trade agenda with the legal and policy clarity the moment demands. By strengthening Africa’s capacity to trade in services, the programme contributes to building stable, self-reliant markets—creating long-term economic partnerships that also serve German interests in a rules-based global economy.

Participants will be introduced to the legal and policy foundations of services trade, with a focus on how the AfCFTA is shaping this landscape. They will  also engage with Africa-specific case studies, simulations, and negotiation exercises.

Learning by Doing

Unlike many other programmes, this one focuses on experiential learning and practical engagement.

“By the time a participant leaves, they will have actually simulated negotiations, unpacked real commitments in trade agreements, and understood how to navigate overlapping regional frameworks like the EAC and the AfCFTA,” Mishael shares. “This is not just theory, it is application.”

The curriculum is delivered  by a blend of expert faculty and trade negotiators, offering both academic background  and field experience.

Who Should Apply?

• Trade negotiators and government officers working on regional and global trade matters.
• Legal professionals advising clients across service industries such as finance, telecom, education, or health.
• Academics and researchers in international trade law and policy.
• Private sector professionals keen to influence or understand trade policies affecting their industries.

Why Strathmore Law School?

Strathmore Law School has a reputation for innovation and leadership in legal education. “This programme continues that tradition,” says Mishael. “It prepares the workforce for tomorrow. Those who will be shaping Africa’s trade and legal landscapes.”

If you are a professional navigating the fast-changing world of African trade or you aspire to, it is time to get ahead. As Mishael says, “This is a necessary leap into the future of African integration.”

Applications are now open for the upcoming cohort. Be part of a visionary community committed to shaping the future of services trade across Africa.