A new World Bank report reveals that international rules on everything from food labeling to 5G networks are quietly reshaping the global economy.
However, many developing countries, including Nigeria, are being left on the sidelines.
According to a Friday statement on its website, the “World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development” shows that standards now drive trade, innovation, and economic growth as much as physical infrastructure like roads or electricity.
The Invisible Infrastructure
Wealthy nations and multinational companies currently benefit most from these standards. In contrast, countries lacking the expertise or resources to participate in setting them struggle to compete globally.
“Standards are both central and unsung today,” said Indermit Gill, Chief Economist of the World Bank Group.
He explained that when standards are set correctly, they go unnoticed. A ship sails through a canal, a building withstands an earthquake, and a kilogram weighs the same in Kenya as in Canada.
“The standardized shipping container might well have catalyzed more trade in manufactured goods than all the trade deals put together,” Gill noted. “Digital standards could do the same for the services trade.”
He added that when countries actively adapt, align, and author standards, they become powerful tools for growth and poverty reduction.
A Sharp Rise in Global Rules
The report highlights a dramatic increase in global standards.
- Rapid Growth: More than half of the 20,000 standards issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) since the 1950s have been created since 2000.
- 2024 Surge: In 2024 alone, global bodies issued over 7,000 new standards.
Despite this surge, developing nations remain underrepresented. They currently sit on less than a third of ISO’s technical committees.
Sergio Mujica, Secretary-General of ISO, emphasized the importance of the report. “International standards are no longer invisible infrastructure—they are critical enablers of sustainable, inclusive development.”
The ‘Adapt, Align, Author’ Framework
The report proposes a three-step framework for developing countries:
- Adapt: At early stages, nations should adapt international standards to local realities to help firms learn and markets grow.
- Align: As capacity increases, countries should align with global standards to compete abroad.
- Author: Eventually, nations should author new standards that reflect their national priorities.
The Japan Example
The report cites Japan as a prime example of success. After World War II, Japanese exports were viewed as low quality. By embracing international standards and implementing Total Quality Management, the country transformed into a global leader in high-quality manufacturing.
Xavier Giné, Director of the 2025 World Development Report, stated, “The lesson from the most successful economies is that standards are not just technical rules—they are the foundation for innovation and global competitiveness.”
For developing nations, this report serves as a wake-up call. Participation in global standard-setting is no longer optional but essential for economic growth, trade, and innovation.
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