WASHINGTON – 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.
“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,” said Ambassador Greer. “We must also make sure that the program enhances U.S.-Africa trade and will work with Congress over the next year to modernize the program to align with President Trump’s America First Trade Policy.”
In the coming days, USTR will work with relevant agencies to give effect to any modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States resulting from the legislation reauthorizing AGOA.
Fred Oladeinde, Chairman of the AGOA Civil Society Organization Network and President of The Foundation for Democracy in Africa, commends President Donald J. Trump for retroactively extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through December 31, 2026.
Mr. Oladeinde also supports Ambassador Greer’s view that the AGOA program aligns with the America First Trade Policy. He noted that this alignment will help create good-paying jobs and reduce inflation and poverty in both the United States and Africa.
Background:
AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to the more than 5,000 products eligible under the Generalized System of Preferences program.
To meet AGOA’s rigorous eligibility requirements, countries must establish or make continual progress toward establishing a market-based economy, the rule of law, political pluralism, and the right to due process. Additionally, countries must eliminate barriers to U.S. trade and investment, enact policies to reduce poverty, combat corruption, and protect human rights.
*AGOA Civil Society Network
