Right to development-focused trade policy research.

Guillaume Gérout Suominen

Research focus

Guillaume's research examines the intersection of legal frameworks, technical trade provisions, and their developmental implications. He employs critical legal theory and socio-legal analysis to investigate how seemingly neutral technical provisions, particularly rules of origin, influence power dynamics and developmental outcomes in African regional integration.

His current work explores:

  • Reinterpretation of the AfCFTA acquis principle to reconnect trade liberalisation with broader African Union legal frameworks

  • Rights-based approaches to assessing tariff schedules and their impact on vulnerable economic sectors

  • Systemic coherence between trade agreements and human rights obligations

  • The role of technical provisions in shaping the developmental outcomes of regional integration

Professional background

Guillaume brings a unique dual perspective to trade policy analysis, combining practical experience in trade negotiations with rigorous academic research.

Experience in African trade policy

  • Rules of Origin Expert, World Customs Organization (2024-present)

    • Conducting comparative studies of origin regimes across Africa

    • Leading sectoral research on rules of origin design and implementation

    • Providing advisory services to the AfCFTA Secretariat on rules of origin negotiations

  • Team Leader, AfCFTA Rules of Origin Negotiations Support (2020-2023)

    • Led technical support to the AfCFTA Secretariat during negotiations

    • Facilitated negotiation and consultation meetings

    • Drafted technical notes and briefing materials for AfCFTA institutions

  • Trade Policy Consultant, UN Economic Commission for Africa (2016-2022)

    • Coordinated working groups for the drafting of AfCFTA legal texts

    • Supported national implementation strategies in multiple African countries

    • Analysed trade policy impacts across different regional frameworks

  • National Focal Point, EU-ESA EPA Implementation (2013-2015)

    • Represented Seychelles in trade negotiations within COMESA, IOC, and the Tripartite Free Trade Area

    • Managed implementation of trade agreements and resolution of non-tariff barriers

    • Coordinated stakeholder engagement and capacity-building initiatives

Academic research

Guillaume is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Helsinki, investigating rights-based approaches to trade and development in Africa. His dissertation examines how the AfCFTA aligns with or deviates from its intended purpose as a vehicle for human-centred development.

Selected publications

Peer-reviewed articles and book chapters

  • Desta, M. G., & Gérout, G. (2018). "The Challenge of Overlapping Regional Economic Communities in Africa: Lessons for the Continental Free Trade Area from the Failures of the Tripartite Free Trade Area." Ethiopian Yearbook of International Law 2017, Springer, pp. 111-141.

  • Gérout, G., MacLeod, J., & Desta, M. (2019). "The AfCFTA as yet another experiment towards continental integration: retrospect and prospect." In Luke, D. & MacLeod, J. (Eds.), Inclusive Trade in Africa: The African Continental Free Trade Area in Comparative Perspective, Routledge, pp. 15-34.

  • Gérout, G., & Addo-Obiri, H. (2019). "AfCFTA, Rules of Origin and Value Chains: A Complementary Assessment Along the Copper Value Chain in Africa." In Luke, D. & MacLeod, J. (Eds.), Inclusive Trade in Africa: The African Continental Free Trade Area in Comparative Perspective, Routledge, pp. 87-119.

Technical papers and policy analysis

  • Gérout, G., & Cren-Larvor, A. (2024). "Tariffs and Human Rights: A pilot analysis of the AfCFTA tariff schedules." Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

  • Gérout, G. (2024). "A comparative study of the rules of origin in the textiles and vehicles sectors." World Customs Organization.

  • Gérout, G., & Fiorentino, M. (2024). "Comprehensive Comparative Study on the Applicable Rules of Origin in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region." World Customs Organization.

Speaking engagements

Guillaume regularly contributes to academic and policy discussions on African trade integration, including:

  • "Legal and conceptual design" - First Years of Functioning of the African Continental Free Trade Area Conference, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Rabat, May 2025.

  • "Diving into the ex-ante HRIA of the AfCFTA negotiations" - Workshop on Human Rights Impact Assessments in Trade Agreements, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Crozet, May 2025.