President Donald Trump has signed legislation reauthorizing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preference program through December 31, 2026, with retroactive effect to September 30, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative said on Tuesday.
AGOA, first enacted in 2000, allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export more than 1,800 products to the United States duty-free. The program supplements the Generalized System of Preferences, under which over 5,000 products are eligible for preferential treatment. The law has been credited with boosting U.S.-Africa trade and supporting African economies by providing preferential market access for exports including textiles, agricultural goods, and manufactured products.
In a statement, U.S. Ambassador for Africa Jamieson Greer emphasized that the reauthorization would be used to ensure the program “demands more from our trading partners” while delivering expanded access for American businesses, farmers, and ranchers.
“AGOA for the 21st century must yield more market access for U.S. businesses and build upon the benefits it has historically provided to Africa and the United States,” Greer said. “We must also make sure that the program enhances U.S.-Africa trade and will work with Congress over the next year to modernize the program to align with President Trump’s America First Trade Policy.”
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said in a press release that it would collaborate with other relevant federal agencies to implement any changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule arising from the legislation.
AGOA has historically required participating countries to meet stringent eligibility criteria. Nations must demonstrate progress toward a market-based economy, uphold the rule of law, maintain political pluralism, respect human rights, and implement policies to combat corruption and reduce poverty. Countries must also remove barriers to U.S. trade and investment to maintain their preferential status.
In recent years, AGOA has been credited with stimulating exports of textiles and apparel from countries such as Kenya, Lesotho, and Ethiopia, as well as agricultural products from Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. U.S. trade officials note that the program has contributed to employment growth in African export sectors, though the benefits have varied across countries depending on infrastructure, policy environment, and industry competitiveness.
The reauthorization comes amid broader U.S. efforts to recalibrate economic engagement with Africa. Under the Trump administration, officials have emphasized prioritizing U.S. commercial interests while encouraging African countries to adopt policies favorable to investment and trade. Observers note that the “America First” framing signals a shift from traditional development-oriented aid toward a transactional, trade-focused approach, emphasizing market access and investment protection for U.S. companies.
Analysts said the retroactive effect of the legislation is important for exporters who faced uncertainty after the previous AGOA authorization lapsed in September 2025. The reauthorization ensures that duty-free access for eligible African exports remains uninterrupted while Congress considers longer-term modernization measures.
Background to AGOA
AGOA has periodically been reauthorized by the U.S. Congress, most recently in 2015, and its continued renewal reflects the strategic economic and political relationship between Washington and sub-Saharan African nations. U.S. officials have underscored that eligibility will continue to hinge on adherence to governance, human rights, and economic reforms, signaling that trade preferences are tied to broader policy objectives.
While the program has historically supported the growth of African exports to the United States, critics argue that its impact is limited by supply-side constraints in African economies, including infrastructure deficits and high production costs. U.S. policymakers say ongoing collaboration with African governments will be essential to ensure that AGOA delivers measurable economic benefits while advancing U.S. trade and investment priorities.
With the latest reauthorization, the Trump administration positions AGOA as both a commercial and strategic tool, aiming to expand U.S.-Africa trade ties, encourage regulatory reforms, and secure preferential access for American businesses in key African markets.
