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Since 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has contributed to more than doubling trade with AGOA-eligible countries. The countries of sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly viable economic partners that deserve focused attention and deeper engagement. If the U.S. fails to advance AGOA beyond a trade-preference arrangement, it risks losing ground to Europe and other nations eager to enter into more robust economic partnerships. Congress and the Obama Administration should work together to renew and upgrade AGOA to advance economic...

Zambia has requested UNECA and the African Development Bank to provide technical assistance in formulating an effective AGOA strategy aimed at maximizing benefits from US trade facility. Commerce minister Emmanuel Chenda said at the just ended 12th Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) forum held in Ethiopia that there was need to address the impediments that had made it difficult for the country to maximize its benefits from AGOA during the past 13 years. "The Zambian government in collaboration with various stakeholders will soon...

This week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, U.S. Trade Representative Mike Froman and senior members of the President's economic team joined trade ministers, civil society, and business leaders from across sub-Saharan Africa to focus on "Sustainable Growth through Trade and Technology" at the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum. The Forum also kicked off the process leading to AGOA’s renewal in 2015. As the President highlighted on his trip to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania this summer, Africa is experiencing historic growth. Six of the...

Your excellences, distinguished and honored guests, good morning. It is wonderful to be with you today in Addis Ababa, at the headquarters of the African Union, and most importantly, at the 2013 AGOA Forum. Before I begin, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank Florie Liser for her leadership and stellar work she has done on AGOA for many years now. I for one am grateful for the assistance she has provided my office, and the tireless work she has done to expand trade and investment opportunities for African nations. And let me...

“Good morning.  Welcome ministers and ambassadors, legislators and Members of Congress, private sector and civil society leaders, ladies and gentlemen.  It is my great honor to be back for the AGOA Forum.  Last year in Washington, I had the opportunity to share with you President Obama’s new U.S. Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa.   President Obama’s Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa  “The Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) that we announced then calls for increased trade and investment to form a key pillar...

The United States is keeping a close watch on potential European trade deals with African nations as Washington reviews its own preferential trade initiative with the continent. African ministers and U.S. officials discussed trade relations at a forum Monday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The U.S. is considering an extension to the popular African Growth and Opportunity Act, known as AGOA, an American law that allows sub-Saharan African countries to export certain products to the United States duty free. First signed into law in...

On July 31, 2013, the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) - a program established by the Trade Act of 1974 expired semi-surreptitiously; something that may not augur well for a more comprehensive American trade and investment program for Africa. Twin bills (download Bill H.R. 2709 alongside) in the House and Senate to extend GSP provisions until September 2015 simply did not come full circle, and anyone keen on an improved African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) – including President Barack Obama – has cause to worry. Itself...

Kenya continues to benefit from the trade preferences to the US market in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), but Americans are raising some concerns about corruption. "Part of our ongoing conversation with Kenya is addressing a host of issues in the business environment," David Renz, a counselor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Nairobi said recently. This year's AGOA Forum is set for this week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. "We are closely watching the commitments of the Kenyatta administration for addressing corruption,"...