6 ways governments can enable Indigenous trade

Mariam Soumaré, Knowledge and Community Lead, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, World Economic Forum contributed to this article.

For millennia, Indigenous people have operated trade networks rooted in cultural values, land stewardship, reciprocity and shared knowledge. Their businesses drive economic prosperity while advancing environmental protection, cultural preservation and social well-being.

Governments have both the opportunity and responsibility to support Indigenous participation in global trade through inclusive policies.

Drawing from the World Economic Forum’s Enabling Indigenous Trade: Actionable Guidance for Governments report, here are six ways policy-makers can help Indigenous businesses thrive in global markets.

International agreements can play a foundational role in promoting Indigenous inclusion by affirming Indigenous rights and ensuring that Indigenous voices are recognized.

Since the adoption of ILO Convention 107 in 1957, which first expounded the rights of “Indigenous and tribal populations”, the international community has incrementally advanced this agenda. The 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity later affirmed Indigenous rights to traditional knowledge, particularly in relation to biodiversity conservation, while the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples established comprehensive rights related to land, culture, knowledge and economic self-determination.

Intellectual property (IP) protection is a critical component of Indigenous rights, given the value of Indigenous knowledge, cultural expressions and innovations. Despite their contributions, Indigenous peoples have historically been denied meaningful control over how their knowledge is used, shared, or commercialized.

A significant development came with the 2024 WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge, which aims to prevent the misappropriation of genetic resources and associated Indigenous knowledge through the patent system and reinforces the importance of free, prior and informed consent and benefit-sharing. Policy-makers should continue to work with Indigenous peoples to strengthen these protections.

Some trade agreements include provisions relating to Indigenous peoples, particularly in areas such as trade promotion, cultural and intellectual property, traditional knowledge, folklore and genetic resources. Among them, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement stands out for including duty-free treatment for Indigenous handicrafts, support for Indigenous-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and recognition of Indigenous roles in environmental protection. New Zealand negotiated a carve-out from the scope of its Digital Chapter with the EU on certain measures relating to Māori and te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), and secured dedicated Indigenous Economic and Trade Cooperation chapters in its agreements with the UK , EU and the UAE. The 2024 Australia–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement also features an Indigenous chapter.

The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement, initiated in 2021, is the first trade-related initiative co-designed with Indigenous peoples. Unlike traditional agreements, this agreement is non-binding and implemented through a Partnership Council of Indigenous and government representatives. It promotes Indigenous-to-Indigenous trade, protects traditional knowledge and aims to eliminate systemic trade barriers.

Trade promotion and facilitation are essential for translating policy into real economic opportunities.

Effective trade promotion can ease entry into new markets, provide insights into consumer trends and support partnerships that drive innovation and better business practices. New Zealand has facilitated Māori trade missions that emphasize both commercial success and the cultivation of long-term cultural and economic ties, particularly in Asia and the Gulf. Canada, Colombia and Papua New Guinea have facilitated Indigenous participation in platforms such as the World Indigenous Business Forum, fostering collaboration and cross-border networks.

Inclusive trade facilitation can further reduce barriers by simplifying customs processes, offering tailored training and connecting Indigenous businesses to certification and compliance systems. Expanding Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes to include Indigenous SMEs, supported by customized assistance and trust-based approaches, can strengthen their ability to participate in global trade while ensuring security and compliance.

Indigenous entrepreneurs often face greater hurdles in securing loans, attracting investors or navigating international payment systems. Governments can offer grants, concessional financing, credit guarantees and targeted investment programmes designed to build Indigenous capacity and reduce risk.

The Indigenous Comprehensive Development Fund, for example, which is managed by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, provides preferential personal and business loans to tribal members. The Central Bank Network for Indigenous Inclusion, established in 2021 by the reserve banks of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, supports ongoing dialogue, knowledge sharing and increased awareness of Indigenous economic and financial issues to help shape more inclusive financial systems.

National laws and regulations form the backbone of a country’s approach to Indigenous economic inclusion. These laws can enshrine land rights, protect traditional knowledge and IP and regulate resource use in a way that respects Indigenous stewardship.

Peru’s Law 27811 protects the collective knowledge of Indigenous peoples and requires prior informed consent for commercial use. The Philippines’ Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act introduced community IP rights and established mechanisms for coordination between IP offices and Indigenous institutions.

Public procurement represents a major economic lever, accounting for roughly 13% of GDP in OECD countries. Procurement policies that include set-asides, targets and verification systems ensure that Indigenous businesses are present and positioned to win government contracts.

Initiatives such as Australia’s Indigenous Procurement Policy and Canada’s Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business have led to significant increases in the number of contracts awarded to Indigenous firms. Complementing these policies are ecosystem-building platforms like Australia’s Supply Nation, which provides verification and business development support, including export-readiness resources through its Export Nation initiative. Brazil and Chile also promote Indigenous employment and business development through procurement policies.

While these six areas offer valuable levers for change, the future of Indigenous trade will also depend on how governments address emerging issues such as digital trade, artificial intelligence, data governance and climate adaptation.

Indigenous peoples must be co-creators of policy in all these areas if we are to lay the foundations for a just and sustainable global economy.