The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the cornerstone of U.S.-Africa trade relations for a quarter century, has reached a critical phase, writes AGOA Civil Society Network Chair Fred Oladeinde. He cites two key developments - the White House's short extension of AGOA through 2026 and China's sweeping new zeroâ€'tariff policy for African exports - leading to intensified calls for Congress to enact a longâ€'term renewal.
The White House proclamation issued on May 19 solidifies the legislative framework originally passed by Congress in September. The proclamation reaffirmed the President's authority to determine country eligibility and reversed the suspension of Gabon in 2023 by the Biden administration due to insufficient progress on governance criteria.
Africa: AGOA at a Crossroads as China Expands Zero‑Tariff Access to Africa
AGOA Civil Society Network, 26 May 2026
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the cornerstone of U.S.–Africa trade relations for a quarter century, is entering a decisive phase. Two developments—the… Read more »
The tremendous growth of Africa’s technology sector has increased interest in how AGOA can help accelerate investment and trade in IT.
Africa: White House Proclamation Extending AGOA
White House, 20 May 2026
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Read more »
Africa: China-Africa Economic Relations Reframed - Zero-Tariff for Africa
Reporter, 2 May 2026
The diplomatic relationship between China and Africa has now reached its 70th anniversary. Over these decades, economic, political, technological, and people-to-people ties have… Read more »
Africa: Trump's Tariffs Have Gutted AGOA's Duty-Free Promise - Our Model Shows How
The Conversation Africa, 28 February 2026
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) was introduced in 2000 as the cornerstone of US development-oriented trade policy towards sub-Saharan Africa. It was designed to grant… Read more »
After nearly three decades of active engagement with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Rose Whitaker announced she is stepping down from the AGOA Alliance, where I have been honored to serve as Co-Chair.
As a Congressional staffer, she played a key role in the formulation and passed of the Act in 2000. She served as the first Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for Africa appointed first by President Bill Clinton and reappointed by President George W. Bush. She founded
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US President Donald Trump has signed into law the one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), with African countries restoring duty-free access to the US market until the end of the year.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the renewal of the AGOA applies retroactively from September 30, 2025, when the program expired, through December 31, 2026. Greer said the administration
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