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Amid fears of renewed tensions between South Africa and the United States, the global superpower has again called for a swift renewal of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). South Africa’s Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau and Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield are among the delegates at the 21st AGOA forum which kicked off earlier this week in Washington DC. The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act is set to expire in 2025. The US legislation gives more than 30 African states preferential access to the lucrative US market for...

The office of the US trade representative has been leading the 2024 US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade & Economic Co-operation African Growth & Opportunity Act (Agoa) Forum in Washington this week. Convening under the theme “Beyond 2025: Reimagining Agoa for an Inclusive, Sustainable and Prosperous Tomorrow”, the forum brings together senior government officials from the US and Agoa-eligible countries, as well as representatives from regional economic organisations, labour, civil society and the private sector.  In anticipation...

The trade legislation known as AGOA is the focus of discussions this week in Washington, DC between senior U.S. officials and Africa trade ministers, along with key regional economic organizations, labor and civil society groups and private sector representatives. The African Growth and Opportunity Act, which extends duty-free treatment to goods from eligible sub-Saharan African countries, was first enacted in 2000 and renewed by Congress in 2015 with the to create jobs in Africa and the United States while promoting economic...

New Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau is fighting for South Africa's continued participation in AGOA at the AGOA Forum in Washington this week. The formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) has secured South Africa a “honeymoon period” for retaining its privileged access to US markets under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). This is the view of US politicians and South African trade analysts on the eve of the annual Agoa Forum which runs from Wednesday, 24 July to Friday, 26 July in Washington.  South...

As stakeholders gather tomorrow for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Washington, I call on Congress to quickly reauthorize and modernize this landmark Act—which is set to expire in 2025.  For more than two decades, the bipartisan African Growth and Opportunity Act has formed the bedrock of America’s economic partnership with African nations.  In sub-Saharan Africa, it has increased the competitiveness of African products, led to the creation of tens...

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will speak at the opening of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Private Sector Forum on Wednesday, July 24, at 9:05 a.m. EDT held at the United States Institute of Peace.   The Private Sector Forum convenes African and American businesses to discuss greater trade and investment collaboration, particularly opportunities enabled by AGOA. This element of the AGOA Forum is co-hosted with the United States Institute of Peace, the Corporate Council on Africa, and the U.S. Department of...

Background: The Office of the United States Trade Representative will lead the 2024 U.S.- sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum (AGOA Forum) in Washington, D.C. from July 24 to 26, 2024. Convening under the theme “Beyond 2025: Reimagining AGOA for an Inclusive, Sustainable and Prosperous Tomorrow,” the AGOA Forum will bring together senior government officials from across the United States government and AGOA-eligible countries, and representatives from key...

Given the press of events closer to home, Africa is hardly top of mind in Washington right now. That President Joe Biden's foreign policy, economic and trade A-team is meeting with its African counterparts here this week is unlikely to change that. In a more rational world, it would. The meeting is the 21st AGOA Forum, named after the African Growth and Opportunity Act, requires that the get-together be held annually. This year's session is unusually important because the act, the lynchpin of US economic relations with the continent for a...

South Africa’s newly formed government will use an upcoming forum on US preferential trade access to push back against a Senate review of ties between the two countries. The House of Representatives last month passed a law requiring a full assessment off bilateral relations and submitted it to the Senate for approval. South African business lobby groups have warned the legislation threatens to curb trade with the world’s biggest economy at a time when the country needs to accelerate economic growth to address widespread inequality. A...

The Office of the US Trade Representative is backing a renewal of AGOA ahead of its September 2025 expiration, but calls for "tweaks" have faced pushback from experts that say it is more important to secure its timely and long-term renewal given its huge benefits for US apparel brands and retailers. A new report from the Office of US Trade Representative (USTR) has revealed US trade with African Growth and Opportunity Act beneficiary countries (AGOA) has increased over the past two years. But the programme is set to expire in...

U.S. trade with African Growth and Opportunity Act beneficiary countries has increased over the past two years, a recent report from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative finds. AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. for more than 1,800 products in addition to the more than 5,100 products eligible under the Generalized System of Preferences. Although GSP expired Dec. 31, 2020, tariff lines covered by GSP remain eligible for AGOA beneficiaries. USTR’s biennial report on AGOA...

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai will host the 21st U.S.–sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum) in Washington, D.C., from July 24 to 26, purposely to work out further on measures to deepen trade and strengthen economic cooperation. In addition, it will also build on the most diverse areas of cooperation discussed in the previous gathering, particularly pertinent questions within the framework of the single continental market – the AfCFTA which aims at addressing trade barriers, enhance...

Two entrepreneurs take traditional African designs and sustainable materials and turn them into international success What started as a pastime desire to sell crafts at local markets, deeply rooted in the South African culture, has since blossomed to become an international business entity for two local women.It took the Mokone sisters, Morongwe "Mo" (37) and Michelle (34), three years only to turn around their home decor business into an international business venture by leveraging on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA...

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced that she will host the 21st U.S.–sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum) in Washington, D.C., from July 24 to 26, 2024. “AGOA has been the cornerstone of our economic partnership with sub-Saharan Africa for over twenty years,” said Ambassador Tai.   “This Forum is an opportunity to discuss how we can make the program more effective, to address today’s challenges and deliver real benefits to more people across the...

Framing boosting ties with Africa as a spiritual and moral imperative, U.S.Sen. Rafael Warnock pledged to support a trade policy crucial to the continent’s economic prospects. The Georgia Democrat in March assured a visiting delegation from South Africa that he would work to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, which without congressional action will expire in 2025. “You can hear my commitment to making sure that happens,” said Mr. Warnock to applause from a small but...

The Office of the United States Trade Representative today released its 2024 Biennial Report  on the Implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Report.  “AGOA has helped to grow Africa’s extraordinary economic potential and has made a difference for many Africans, but we have an opportunity to make it even better,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai.  “A lot has changed on the continent and in the global economy over the last two decades.  This Report provides a starting point for...

On Monday, July 24, 2023, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will hold a virtual public hearing to receive oral testimony related to sub-Saharan African countries' eligibility for AGOA benefits. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM EDT. During the virtual hearing, the livestream will be available at www.ustr.gov/live. See the downloadable document alongside for the witness list, including panel assignments. 

The United States and Kenya will hold a virtual stakeholder listening session during the sixth round of negotiations under the United States-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) on Friday, June 7 at 9:00AM East Africa Time (EAT). The session will be co-chaired by Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Constance Hamilton and Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Trade Alfred K’Ombudo. The sixth round of negotiations are taking place in Mombasa, Kenya.Those interested in attending this session should RSVP by 4:00PM EAT on...

The United States and Kenya will hold a sixth in-person negotiating round under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 3-7. The United States delegation will be led by Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Constance Hamilton and will include representatives from several other U.S. government agencies. The Kenyan delegation will be led by Principal Secretary for Trade Alfred K’Ombudo. Negotiators last met in person earlier this month in Washington, D.C. and have continued to make progress in...

President Joe Biden's choice of Kenya for a first African state visit in more than 15 years is no coincidence, but both countries must be clear on what is driving this increasing strategic dependence. Kenyan President William Ruto's arrival in Washington on 22 May ends a historic drought. No African leader has made a state visit to the US since John Kufuor of Ghana in 2008 - three times longer than the previous record gap, but a period that has also seen three US Africa Strategies (2012, 2018 and 2022) and two US-Africa Leaders' Summits...

In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) discussed Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to the United States this week and the need for Congress to advance a reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in an interview with Devex yesterday. A major area of interest for President Ruto is the trade relationship between the United States and Kenya, and his visit is expected to lend support to the effort to reauthorize AGOA. Senators Coons and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced the AGOA reauthorization...

Today, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. sent a letter to the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai, alongside Congressman Randy Feenstra (I-04), urging her to address barriers restricting America's pork exports to South Africa:  "Eastern North Carolina is home to many of America’s greatest pork producers who work tirelessly to feed America," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Foreign markets are important to our pork industry especially as they face increased operating costs and regulations. The...

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal, D-Mass., called on U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to transition current trade discussions with Kenya into negotiations of a comprehensive, enforceable trade agreement, in a letter today.  Although the Biden administration is in discussions for a U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP), negotiating a full trade agreement would offer more opportunities to improve protections for labor and the...

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is a landmark piece of trade legislation enacted by the United States in 2000. Its goal is to promote economic growth, development and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa by providing qualifying countries with duty-free access to the US market for over 6,500 products. By eliminating import tariffs and quotas, Agoa aims to stimulate trade, attract foreign investment and foster economic integration between the US and African nations. Agoa has made strides in boosting exports from eligible...

Kenya and the US are inching closer to reaching a trade deal, Investments, Trade and Industry CS Rebecca Miano has hinted, meaning a pact could be in place by end of this year. This, even as the US expresses confidence that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), set to expire next year, will be renewed to allow Sub-Sharan nations continue to enjoy preferential export terms to the US market. The in-person talks between Kenya and US trade experts are headed into the fifth round, after conclusion of the fourth round in Washington D.C,...

The African Coalition for Trade (ACT) has voiced its support for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 and credits the bill with creating hundreds of thousands of direct jobs in Africa and the US. The AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 which was introduced by Senators Chris Coons and James Risch would extend the bill for 16 years until 2041 and continue to boost Africa’s duty-free status as a means of “attracting private sector investment to help underwrite economic development,”...

There is good news for South African citrus exports to the US. Moves in US Congress to review South Africa’s participation in AGOA, the US Growth and Opportunities Act, have been dropped. South African citrus growers who ship their fruit to the US are breathing a sigh of relief after reports that senators have introduced a bill to extend AGOA, which is meant to boost trade between Africa and the US until 2041. Reports from the US have indicated that 30 African countries will keep duty-free exports to the US market for this period,...

The American Apparel & Footwear Association applauds Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator James Risch (R-ID) for introducing the AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024.Currently set to expire in September 2025, AGOA is a pivotal trade preference program that provides duty-free access to the U.S. market, fostering economic growth and opportunity between the U.S. and eligible African countries. This program is the cornerstone of the U.S. economic relationship with Sub-Saharan Africa. By lowering the cost of trade and encouraging...

A bipartisan group of senators will introduce a bill to renew the United States' trade pact with sub-Saharan Africa ahead of its expiration next year, an aide to one of the senators said on Thursday.  [    Download it here and download a summary here] The bill was introduced by Senators Chris Coons, a Democrat, and James Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A cross-party group of senators - Dick Durbin, Michael Bennet, Chris van Hollen, Todd Young and Mike Rounds - are also...

Consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to the highest levels of transparency in trade agreement negotiations, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today released summaries of texts proposed by the U.S. side on good regulatory practices, workers’ rights and protections, and a second tranche of agriculture text. Negotiations on these texts are ongoing. USTR will negotiate the workers’ rights and protections and agriculture texts during the April 2-12 round in Washington, D.C. The...

Experts at the Center for Global Development argue that the unconventional approach could bring billions in new trade opportunities and would fit with US “friend-shoring” efforts. The US should pay ‘negative tariffs’ in Africa – essentially targeted manufacturing subsidies – to help revive its faltering African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),  according to a new report from the Washington-based Center for Global Development (CGD). CGD’s Justin Sandefur and Arvind Subramanian estimate that $291m in negative...

US Ambassador Brian Shukan hosted a bipartisan delegation from the United States Congress from March 28-29. The House Ways and Means Committee, led by Chairman Jason Smith focused on economic opportunities for Benin under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The delegation held discussions with the President and government officials, addressing specific recommendations for AGOA and to inform the reauthorization process. AGOA has been at the core of U.S. economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa since its initial...

A delegation the United States Congress visited Mauritius March 26-27 to assess the implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).   The visit underscored the United States’ commitment to deepening the economic cooperation between our two countries and to support Mauritius’ continued utilization of AGOA benefits. The delegation of eight members from the Congressional Ways and Means and the House Foreign Affairs Committees met with Mauritian government officials, including Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, the...

Duty- and quota-free access to the United States of America’s market granted by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has played a significant role in boosting trade and investment between sub-Saharan Africa and the US. Many qualifying African countries have achieved notable successes in exporting goods under Agoa to the US. These successes include textiles and apparel from Kenya, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Lesotho, Ghana, and Madagascar. For example, in Kenya, the sales dominated by apparel under Agoa have grown from US$55 million in...

During an exclusive side chat at Source Fashion in London, the president of Ethiopia's Hawassa Industrial Park Investors Association (HIPIA) Hibret Lemma, confesses Ethiopia is only just at the start of its shift away from relying solely on the US for its garment exports. He admits losing AGOA was a big hit to the country's garment sector and it slowed down growth considerably. However, Ethiopia's garment suppliers were hopeful that AGOA would be reinstated by the end of 2022 and that hope continued again until the end of 2023. The...

South Africa has been conducting a high-wire act in its relations with the United States (US). It is maintaining friendships with Washington’s enemies like Russia, Iran and China while trying to avoid disrupting its economic relations with America. Tensions came closer than ever to breaking point this month as the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs passed the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Bill (US-SA Bill). The law would require the government to comprehensively review its...

The fourth edition of the regional American Chamber of Commerce Kenya (AmCham) Business Summit, the premier platform for strengthening bilateral trade and investment between the United States, Kenya, and East Africa is set to be held on April 24–25, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya’s President William Ruto is confirmed as Chief Guest, leading a government delegation to the summit that aims to expand commercial opportunities and markets. Several high-ranking US government officials are also expected. Close to 1,000 delegates, including...

As Prepared for Delivery in Johannesburg, South Africa Thank you for the warm welcome. I want to express my gratitude to Consul General Spera and the American Chamber of Commerce for hosting me. I am honored to be joined today by South African Entrepreneurs that are building companies to unlock the economic potential of their country.  I owe my own presence here today to the inspiration I drew from South Africa. In the middle of the night nearly 35 years ago, I was shaken awake by my father, asking me to follow him. Entering the...

The Office of the United States Trade Representative today released President Biden’s 2024 Trade Policy Agenda and 2023 Annual Report to Congress, which details USTR’s work to advance President Biden’s trade agenda.  The President’s 2024 Trade Policy Agenda stands up for workers’ rights and sustainable trade practices, supports U.S. farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food manufacturers, bolsters supply chain resilience, addresses unfair policies and practices, and advances inclusive, durable trade policy through expanded...

President William Ruto will visit the United States on a State Visit in May during what is likely to be one of the most turbulent US elections in memory. Barring some miracle, or catastrophe, the US presidential election will be a showdown between the same two contenders—albeit older and less energetic—as in 2020. The US presidential election in November is the most significant geopolitical risk event of 2024. Its outcome could result in a dramatic change in US foreign and domestic policy. These policy changes, assuming former...

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa today, 21 February 2024, received for a visit from a bipartisan congressional delegation from the United States of America, in Tuynhuys, Cape Town. The delegation is visiting South Africa at the invitation of the Aspen Institute. The President and the US congressional delegation discussed the importance of the relationship between South Africa and the US, which manifests in strong economic, political and social ties. “Our relationship is characterised by mutual respect and a willingness to...

President Joe Biden plans to welcome Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House in May, hosting a state visit after reneging on his promise to visit Africa last year. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that the visit set for May 23 will mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations and "celebrate a partnership that is delivering for the people" of both countries while affirming "our strategic partnership" with Ruto's country. It "will strengthen our shared commitment to advance peace and...

A Civil Society Organisation, Network and other stakeholders from across the United States and African Growth and Opportunity Act-eligible countries have petitioned the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, to consider an extension of the initiative. The CSO made the plea in a letter dated February 16, 2024, titled ‘Petition for Timely Re-Authorisation and Enhancement of the African Growth and Opportunity Act Beyond 2025.’ They noted that AGOA had played an integral role in creating sustainable economic growth and...

The time has come for young emaSwati entrepreneurs to seize opportunities to manufacture basic every day consumer products for export to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The main drive is to get emaSwati to manufacture products locally, sell locally, regionally and internationally using the various initiatives made available by government.  Eswatini’s economy is at a crossroads. While the country boasts a strong manufacturing sector, diversification and export growth are crucial for sustainable...

A bill has been submitted to the United States congress calling for a full review of the country’s bilateral relationship with South Africa following the International Court of Justice ruling that found it plausible that Israel has committed acts of genocide against Gaza. The bipartisan bill which was introduced by US Republican congressman John James and Democratic Party congressman Jared Moskowitz this week could threaten South Africa’s prospects to benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity...

The US plans to strengthen Kenya’s public procurement systems in what is seen as a strategy to put in place sound structures ahead of the planned trade pact. This comes as talks on the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) resumed last week with a meeting in Nairobi. Kenya is pushing for the deal and renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which expires next year. Washington in a statement on Tuesday said the US and Kenya held a productive in-person negotiating round under the STIP in Nairobi, between...

Africa’s biggest economy is still failing to tap the opportunities that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) present to boost its foreign exchange, amid acute dollar shortages. The AGOA has been on for over twenty-three years as it was enacted in 2020. In 2015, the program was modernised and extended to 2025, implying that there are only about 15 months before the window closes. Some countries have taken advantage of the AGOA more than others, Kenya and Ghana have been identified as countries with worthy experiences to share...

US authorities will expedite negotiations on the Kenya-US Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) and consider extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beyond its expiry next year. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi who spoke after a meeting with US Secretary for State Mr Tony Blinken said these initiatives will facilitate expanded duty and quota-free access for Kenya’s and Africa’s exports to the US market. STIP, which comes after the successful...

The third round of the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) negotiations between Kenya and the United States opened in Nairobi yesterday. Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said Kenya’s delegation is being led by Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo.  The main agenda items for the meeting which wraps up tomorrow revolve around agriculture, good regulatory practices, and workers’ rights and protection, important areas that affect the livelihoods of millions of people in both...

Kenya and the United States are set to begin talks on contentious clauses in a proposed bilateral trade deal amid fears the agreement could flood the market with cheap agricultural imports from America. The delayed third in-person round of talks will focus on agriculture, good regulatory practices and workers’ rights and protections, according to a statement from the US Trade Representative Office (USTR). The three-day negotiations starting from Monday were initially scheduled for December before being pushed back with a public...