Right to development-focused trade policy research.
Cosmoledo Research is an independent think tank founded to examine the intersection of trade policy and human rights, with specific attention to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its implementation.
Focus areas
Our research addresses critical questions relevant to policymakers and advocates
Trade agreement design and implementation
How can trade agreements be structured to advance human development rather than hinder it? We examine the legal frameworks of the AfCFTA and other trade regimes to identify provisions that either support or potentially undermine human rights obligations.
Policy coherence
How can African states navigate multiple, sometimes competing obligations under trade and human rights regimes? We analyse systemic coherence between the AfCFTA and the broader African Union legal ecosystem, particularly regarding right to development commitments.
Development-first policymaking
Which economic sectors and populations face particular risks from trade liberalisation? Our research identifies protection mechanisms within trade agreements that can safeguard vulnerable communities while still advancing continental integration.
Participatory governance
How can affected communities meaningfully participate in trade policy formation? We study mechanisms for inclusive governance that ensure diverse voices inform implementation decisions.
Research methodology
We maintain methodological transparency and ethics by adhering to the TENK standards.
Our analytical work combines:
Historical legal analysis of preparatory documents, treaty texts, and negotiation records
Socio-legal examination of how legal concepts function within specific political and economic contexts
Comparative assessment of implementation approaches across different trade regimes
Rights-impact assessment methodologies applied to technical trade provisions
Practical applications
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Our research provides:
Analysis of legal options within existing treaty frameworks
Concrete implementation strategies that balance trade liberalisation with human rights protection
Technical guidance on specific provisions such as tariff schedules, rules of origin, and other trade rules
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Our work offers:
Methodological frameworks for analysing trade agreements through a right to development lens
Primary source analysis of negotiation processes and implementation challenges
Conceptual tools for understanding the interplay between trade liberalisation and human rights regimes
Comparative data on various approaches to developmental regionalism
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We offer:
Analytical frameworks to evaluate trade provisions against human rights standards
Entry points for effective advocacy within technical trade negotiations
Comparative analyses of best practices in rights-protection within trade agreements
Collaboration
We actively collaborate with government trade negotiators, regional economic community secretariats, civil society organisations, and African academic institutions. Through these collaborations, we aim to strengthen the analytical quality of our work and its practical utility for those engaged in trade policy formation and implementation.
Meet the team
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Guillaume Gérout Suominen
Researcher