The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been successful in increasing jobs in garment sector and in boosting apparel exports of African countries to the US.

During the first decade of implementation of AGOA (2000-10), more than 300,000 new employment opportunities were created in 40 African countries, a majority of them being in the apparel and textile sectors, Cosmas Mamhunze, Southern Africa Trade Hub (SATH)/ AGOA Trade Specialist, said during an AGOA training session.

He said AGOA exports can be enhanced by increasing diversity in export items. He added that in addition to Government support for the initiative, there must also be private sector participation.

He emphasized that people must enter into cooperative partnerships to produce in big volumes.

In addition, those firms and individuals dealing in exports to the US market must be aware that all goods exported to the US are subject to customs clearance, which require proper labels.

He revealed that most products that are denied entry into the US markets lack proper labeling.

He also stressed on the need for undertaking an export readiness assessment prior to actual exports.

The AGOA was signed into law on May 18, 2000 as Title 1 of The Trade and Development Act of 2000. The Act offers tangible incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets.

It provides 40 beneficiary countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with the most liberal access to the US market available to any country or region with which the US has not entered into a Free Trade Agreement.

Latest AGOA Trade Data currently available on AGOA.info


Click here to view a sector profile of Swaziland’s bilateral trade with the United States, disaggregated by total exports and imports, AGOA exports and GSP exports.

Other regularly updated trade statistics on AGOA.info include: (click each link to view)