Bipartisan lawmakers in Congress are calling for the renewal of AGOA
As President Joe Biden hosts nearly 50 African leaders in a summit aiming to boost U.S.-Africa relations, one prominent issue has circulated across the Hill: the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which is set to expire in 2025.
What is it? The 22-year-old program works to provide eligible sub-Saharan African nations with additional duty-free access to more than 1,800 designated products, with the aim of assisting the countries and easing economic relations between the U.S. and Africa.
Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he met with a number of key officials on AGOA, and that he's pushing "very hard for this" while pledging to work with the officials between now and 2025.
Why discuss now? Although 2025 is a little more than two years away, renewal of this program will be largely left up to Congress — which has a habit of addressing priorities at the last minute. But this isn't an issue that Congress and the White House can neglect: With China strengthening their influence on the continent, U.S. officials are emphasizing the need to further invest in African countries.
"Working closely with Congress, the U.S. will commit $55 billion to Africa over the course of the next three years across a wide range of sectors to tackle the core challenges of our time," national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday. "These commitments build on the United States’ longstanding leadership and partnership in development, economic growth, health and security in Africa over the past three decades."
Efforts by the Biden administration were applauded by Senate Subcommittee Chair on Africa and Global Health Policy Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in a statement — while he also urged for an extension of AGOA "without delay."
The $55 billion investment was further welcomed by ranking member Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), who said it "sounds like an encouraging first step."
"The money with that you spend in Africa returns itself because they have natural resources," Rounds told POLITICO. "They have new democracies that are really working hard. And this is an area where, if we can stabilize those countries, it eliminates more areas where terrorism might otherwise begin."
Read related news articles
Key provisions of the US’s AGOA Improvement Act
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...
26 July 2024
Rosa Whitaker: 'America can't be first if we keep putting Africa last'
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...
23 July 2024
Looming AGOA expiry puts US apparel buyers, off say experts
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...
08 July 2024
Representatives Murphy, Feenstra urge Trade Ambassador Tai to "secure fair market access for American pork in South Africa"
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...
22 May 2024
US-Africa trade deal turns 25 next year: AGOA's winners, losers and what should come next
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...
06 May 2024
African trade coalition backs AGOA 16-year renewal bill to boost trade prospects
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...
18 April 2024
US apparel and footwear industry supports 16 year AGOA renewal
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...
11 April 2024
US senators introduce bill to renew Africa trade pact through 2041 [Download copy]
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...
11 April 2024
US manufacturing subsidies for Africa could help revive AGOA
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...
05 April 2024
US Congressional delegation visits Benin to assess implementation of AGOA
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...
05 April 2024
US Congressional delegation visits Mauritius to assess implementation of AGOA
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...
04 April 2024