The United States has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) the cornerstone trade programme providing duty‑free access to U.S. markets for eligible African countries through 31 December 2026.
The extension, signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump on 3 February 2026, restores preferential trade terms retroactively from the date of the accord’s expiry last September.
AGOA, first enacted in 2000, allows eligible sub‑Saharan African nations to export more than 1,800 products duty‑free to the United States, including crude oil, textiles, vehicles and agricultural produce.
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It has played a central role in fostering trade, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the continent, and deepening U.S.–Africa economic ties.
What’s New in the Extension Short‑Term Renewal: The latest extension — limited to one year is seen as a stopgap reprieve amid stalled negotiations for a longer renewal.
Many businesses and analysts had hoped for a multi‑year extension to provide greater certainty.
🇺🇸 U.S. Policy Shift: The U.S. Trade Representative’s office says the programme will be adapted to reflect the current administration’s trade priorities, with potential changes to increase market access for U.S. businesses.
Africanews Reactions Across AfricaManufacturers and Exporters have welcomed the reprieve but warned that the short extension offers only temporary relief, stressing that long‑term planning and job security remain uncertain without a longer extension.
In Kenya, private sector leaders noted the extension secures the livelihoods of tens of thousands of textile and apparel workers, with over 66,000 direct jobs dependent on AGOA‑linked exports.
The StarIn Lesotho, textile workers and government officials also hailed the move but echoed concerns over the short duration and urged the U.S. and African partners to forge a more sustainable trade framework.
Looking Ahead While the extension keeps duty‑free access in place until the end of 2026, many African governments, industry bodies, and economists continue to push for a longer‑term deal.
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They argue that extended certainty is essential for investment, job creation, and deeper integration into global value chains.
AGOA remains a critical link in U.S.–Africa economic relations, with ongoing discussions expected on how to modernise and potentially expand the programme though its future beyond 2026 still faces political and economic debate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Image Credit: Nairametrics
Source: Nairametrics
