As the expiration of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) approaches in September, former US ambassador to Kenya, Kyle McCarter, has cast doubt on the deal’s renewal, citing its unfavorable terms for the United States. McCarter, who served under the Trump administration, expressed skepticism about the prospects of extending Agoa through the HR 10366-Agoa […]
Tag: AGOA
AGOA expulsion to prompt South Africa, others to diversify export markets
As South Africa and possibly also other continental states face the real possibility of being expelled from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a United States Trade Act, experts are urging them to diversify their export markets. Wamkele Mene, secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, addressed concerns at a recent […]
2025 a ‘critical juncture’ for Africa amid numerous challenges — Brookings report
2025 will be a critical juncture for Africa’s trajectory, with new political leadership in both the African Union and the United States, which will coincide with a number of challenges, including the urgent need for the implementation of the AfCFTA, modernization and renewal of the AGOA, all of this happening amid the escalating climate crisis […]
AGOA ‘at crossroads’ but Kenya’s Ruto confident about trade pact renewal under Trump
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is “at a crossroads”, faced with an uncertain future under the incoming Donald Trump administration in the United States, says a new analysis by the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), though Kenya’s president has exuded confidence that the US government will extend the hallmark trade program […]
African trade ministers urge US govt to ensure renewal of AGOA by end of 2024
African ministers of trade attending the 21st African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum held in Washington D.C. last week have urged the US government to do away with the AGOA’s annual reviews and expressed the importance of an expeditious renewal of the legislation by the end of 2024. With AGOA expiring in 14 months, […]
US urged to renew AGOA in order not to ‘lose economic ground’ in Africa to China
The United States is “missing an incredible window of opportunity” in Africa, a senior executive in US company told the US Senate Committee on Finance, urging a “quick renewal” of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) that will have the largest impact on the US business interests on the African continent. SanMar Corporation’s general […]
US-Africa trade deal, now in its 24th year, could help diversify US critical mineral supplies
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a landmark piece of trade legislation that has boosted exports from eligible African countries to the United States, but also the latter reaps benefits from the deal, including through the ongoing reauthorization process that could facilitate the expansion of the trade in critical minerals between both sides. […]
U.S. reinstates Mauritania into AGOA after four-year hiatus
US President Joe Biden announced the eligibility of Mauritania for benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which affects market access, investment, and reduced or eliminated tariffs on U.S. imports, four years after his predecessor Donald Trump suspended the Western African country over its failure to make progress on human rights – namely, […]
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 […]
US delists Burkina Faso from its Africa trade preference program
The United States has dropped Burkina Faso from its trade preference program citing deep concerns over “unconstitutional change” in government in the West African country, according to a statement by the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR). The USTR’s office said Burkina Faso had failed to meet the requirements of the African Growth and […]







