• The United States extended AGOA through December 31, 2026, with retroactive effect
• Washington wants African countries to open markets further to U.S. products
• South Africa’s eligibility remains uncertain amid strained relations

U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law on Tuesday, February 3, legislation extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through December 31, 2026. AGOA is a trade preference program that has granted U.S. market access to eligible sub-Saharan African countries since 2000. “President 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,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement.

Greer added that he would work in the coming days “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.” He also said he would engage with Congress to “modernize the program to align with President Trump’s America First Trade Policy.”

In the same context, the White House said African countries would now be expected to further open their markets to U.S. products in order to continue benefiting from the trade preference scheme, which expired on October 1, 2025, amid the introduction of new tariffs by the Trump administration. “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,” Greer said.

Uncertainty over South Africa’s status

Launched in May 2000, AGOA allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export more than 1,800 products to the United States duty-free, in addition to over 5,000 products that already enjoy tariff-free access under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). Each year, Washington updates the list of eligible countries, based in part on their commitment to a market-based economy, respect for the rule of law, and poverty reduction policies. Democratic progress or setbacks are also taken into account.

In January 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to renew AGOA for three years, but the Senate reduced the extension to one year, in line with President Trump’s call for a fundamental overhaul of the program.

Uncertainty also continues to surround South Africa’s status as an AGOA beneficiary. Relations between Pretoria and the Trump administration have deteriorated, with Washington accusing South Africa of persecuting white citizens. Trump boycotted the G20 summit held in Johannesburg in November 2025 and later announced that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 summit scheduled to take place in Miami.

The United States has also criticized Africa’s largest economy for maintaining close ties with rival powers. Members of Congress have recently pointed to South Africa’s “proximity” to U.S. strategic competitors, following naval exercises conducted off its coast involving China, Russia, and Iran.

Walid Kéfi