The AGOA legislation makes provision only for countries of Sub-Saharan Africa to be eligible as AGOA beneficiaries. However, not all eligible countries are currently AGOA beneficiaries. 

Qualification is not automatic and countries are required to meet a number of conditions on an ongoing basis in order to benefit from AGOA preferences when exporting to the United States.

When a country of Sub-Saharan Africa does not meet (or no longer meets) the AGOA eligibility requirements, its preferential market access to the US market under AGOA can be suspended. The US conducts an annual review of all AGOA beneficiary countries, a process that includes public hearings, and which allows for submissions.

Over the years, some AGOA beneficiary countries lost their AGOA status due to non-compliance with the AGOA eligibility requirements. Some have regained AGOA status, for example Madagascar, Eswatini, DRC and others. 

 

A list of countries that are currently eligible as an AGOA beneficiary can be viewed in the table at the following link.

The map below provides a snapshot of Sub-Saharan African countries' current AGOA beneficiary status.