Several American officials, including the U.S. Deputy Trade Representative for African Affairs, have announced in recent months that the Biden administration aims to review the AGOA or replace it with a new trade agreement.
The African Union (AU) called on Thursday, November 2, for the U.S. Congress to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade preference program granted by the United States to Sub-Saharan African countries since 2000, for at least an additional ten years without making any changes.
"[An extension of] 10-20 years is very critical to the investment community. Anything lower than that would generate uncertainty,” said Albert Muchanga, AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry, and Mines during the 20th AGOA Forum held in Johannesburg. Muchanga also indicated that "if there are any enhancements to be made, those should be done after the extension”.
Launched in May 2000, the AGOA program enables eligible Sub-Saharan African countries to export over 1,700 products to the United States without paying duties. These products add to about 5,000 other items that can access the American market duty-free under the generalized system of preferences.
Each year, Washington updates the list of AGOA-eligible countries, considering their commitment to market economies, respect for the rule of law, and poverty alleviation policies. The initiative also takes into account the democratic progress or setbacks of the countries involved.
With the AGOA program set to expire in September 2025, several African nations are advocating for an early ten-year extension without changes to reassure businesses and new investors. Renewing the trade preference system is also supported by some members of the U.S. Congress, who fear that revising the program might delay or jeopardize its renewal.
In late September, U.S. Senator John Neely Kennedy introduced a bill in the upper house of Congress proposing the extension of AGOA until 2045. He mentioned that the program will greatly help Americans counter the increasing influence of China in Sub-Saharan Africa.
However, several U.S. officials, including Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for African Affairs Constance Hamilton, have advocated in recent months for the revision or replacement of AGOA with a new trade agreement.
From Dakar to Nairobi, Kampala to Abidjan, mobile money has become a lifeline for millions of Africa...
• WAEMU posts 0.9% deflation in July, second month in a row• Food, hospitality prices drop; alcohol,...
Airtel Gabon, Moov sign deal to share telecom infrastructure Agreement aims to cut costs, boo...
Vision Invest invests $700m in Arise IIP, Africa’s largest private infrastructure deal in 202...
Even though it remains the smallest "crypto-economy" in the world, sub-Saharan Africa shows that vir...
South Africa anchors African bonds with liquidity, but yields lag Ghana and Zambia. Ghana and Zambia deliver 20%+ yields, driving bond rallies despite...
• UN urges shift from arms to human development in Africa • Military spending rises, deepening poverty and fiscal strain • Region needs $70B...
Lomé begins dredging to handle larger container ships Port traffic hits record 2 million TEUs in 2024 Strategic hub for regional transshipment and...
Malawi votes in high-stakes presidential election Tuesday Economic crisis, inflation dominate voter concerns Chakwera faces Mutharika, Banda in tight...
Surprisingly, only one African song made it onto Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The track is "Essence," a collaboration...
The Umhlanga Festival, also known as the “Reed Dance,” is one of the most iconic cultural events in the Kingdom of Eswatini in Southern Africa. Every...