US to remove Gabon, Niger, Uganda and CAR from AGOA trade program

US President Joe Biden announced on Monday (30 October) his intention to end the participation of Gabon, Niger, Uganda, and the Central African Republic (CAR) in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade program, citing their failure to comply with the eligibility criteria.

Launched in 2000, AGOA grants exports from qualifying countries duty-free access to the US market. The decision to terminate the participation of the four African countries in AGOA effectively from 1 January 2024 comes in response to what Biden referred to as serious violations of internationally recognized human rights. Biden said he was taking the step specifically because of “gross violations” of internationally recognized human rights by the CAR and Uganda. In the case of Niger and Gabon, the US president cited both countries’ failure to establish or make continual progress toward the protection of political pluralism and the rule of law.

This move comes after Washington recently issued a business advisory to notify US businesses, individuals, and other US entities about business risks under Uganda’s recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act. “Despite intensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address United States concerns about their non-compliance with the AGOA eligibility criteria,” Biden said in a letter to the speaker of the US House of Representatives, noting that he will continue to evaluate whether these countries align with the program’s eligibility criteria.

African governments and industry groups have been lobbying for an early 10-year extension without changes to reassure business and new investors who might have concerns over AGOA’s future.