The United States (U.S) has renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), but the extension will only run until the end of 2026.
Originally established in 2000, the AGOA programme grants eligible African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for selected goods, including vehicles, clothing, and agricultural products.
The programme had expired on September 30, 2025, but will now be retroactively applied to that date, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed after President Donald Trump signed the extension into law on February 03.
Mr. Greer hinted at possible changes to AGOA benefits for participating countries.
“AGOA for the 21st century must demand more from our trading partners and yield more market access for U.S. businesses, farmers, and ranchers, building upon the benefits it has historically provided to Africa and the United States,” Greer said.
“We must also ensure that the programme enhances U.S.–Africa trade, and we will work with Congress over the next year to modernise AGOA in line with President Trump’s America First Trade Policy.”
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said it would work with relevant agencies in the coming days to update the Harmonised Tariff Schedule so that the new AGOA tariff rates are applied to U.S. imports.
According to the USTR, to meet AGOA’s “rigorous” eligibility requirements, countries must establish or make continual progress toward a market-based economy, uphold the rule of law, promote political pluralism, and ensure the right to due process…
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