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Africa and in particular South Africa has been waiting with bated breath to see whether the President of the United States of America Donald Trump will sign the extension of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) as per incorporation by the Senate.
According to Ambassador Jamieson Greer, Trump signed into law legislation that reauthorizes the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preference program through December 31, 2026, with retroactive effect to September 30, 2025.
“AGOA for the 21st century must demand more from our trading partners and yield more market access for U.S. businesses, farmers, and ranchers to build upon the benefits it has historically provided to Africa and the United States,” said Ambassador Greer.
“We must also make sure that the program enhances U.S.-Africa trade and will work with Congress over the next year to modernize the program to align with President Trump’s America First Trade Policy,” he continued.
Greer says in the coming days, United States Trade Representative (USTR) will work with relevant agencies to give effect to any modifications made to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States as a result of the legislation reauthorizing AGOA.
AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to the more than 5,000 products that are eligible for duty-free access under the Generalized System of Preferences program.
To meet AGOA’s rigorous eligibility requirements, countries must establish or make continual progress toward establishing a market-based economy, the rule of law, political pluralism, and the right to due process. Additionally, countries must eliminate barriers to U.S. trade and investment, enact policies to reduce poverty, combat corruption, and protect human rights.
