The United States has officially reinstated the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extending the landmark trade program through December 31, 2026, and restoring vital duty-free access to the American market for dozens of African countries.
The renewal, signed by President Donald Trump with retroactive effect from September 30, 2025 — the date the program originally lapsed was announced Tuesday by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Greer emphasized that the next phase of AGOA must reflect modern US priorities. “AGOA for the 21st century must demand more from our trading partners and yield more market access for US businesses, farmers, and ranchers,” he said, adding that the administration will collaborate with Congress over the next year to update the program.
For 25 years, AGOA has been the backbone of US-Africa trade, enabling 32 participating African nations to export billions of dollars’ worth of goods duty-free from cars and textiles to metals and agricultural products. Its expiration in September 2025 caused significant economic shock across the continent, triggering job losses and forcing exporters to pay steep tariffs.
In 2024 alone, exports under AGOA totaled $8.23 billion, according to the United States International Trade Commission. South Africa accounted for half of that amount, supplying vehicles, precious metals, and agricultural goods. Nigeria contributed about one fifth, largely through oil and energy related products.
Smaller economies suffered deeply during the lapse. Lesotho’s textile industry the nation’s largest employer was particularly devastated. Hundreds of workers took to the streets of Maseru in October to protest layoffs and wage reductions driven by sudden American tariffs. The country exported $150 million worth of goods under AGOA in 2024, despite President Trump’s dismissive remark that Lesotho was a place “nobody has ever heard of.”
With AGOA now restored, African exporters and workers hope the renewed deal will stabilize jobs, revive industries, and restore investor confidence across the region.
