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AGOA


Kenya, US revive trade talks as AGOA’s future looms
For Washington, the negotiations carry clear strategic overtones. Countering China’s growing economic influence in Kenya and across East Africa has long been part of US policy. The arrangement introduced geopolitical expectations alongside commercial interests.
After US extends AGOA, China finally agrees zero-tariff access for 53 African nations
China will implement zero-tariff treatment for imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations from May 1, 2026, state media reported on Saturday, in a move that broadens Beijing’s preferential trade regime across the continent.
US restores AGOA with one-year renewal to December 2026
President Donald Trump has signed a law extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by one year, keeping the trade programme alive until December 31, 2026.
EFF urges SA to reject AGOA extension, accuses US of geopolitical self-interest
The EFF has called on the South African government to reject the recent extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), warning that the programme primarily serves US geopolitical and economic interests rather than advancing African development.
17 African countries remain in limbo as US extends AGOA to 2028
Seventeen African countries, including Ethiopia, Uganda and Zimbabwe, remain in trade limbo even as the African Union (AU) welcomed the US House of Representatives’ approval of a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Ghana proposes trade framework with US amid AGOA uncertainty
Ghana and United States (US) officials held high level discussions in Washington recently on establishing a comprehensive trade cooperation framework as both nations navigate post African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) economic relations.
US passes AGOA extension bill, but South Africa still on edge
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is set to be extended by a further three years.The committee, which described the trade initiative as “the cornerstone of economic relations between the US and Sub-Saharan African nations", did not mention any exclusion of South Africa in its statement.
South Africa wants to ensure it is included in any AGOA extension, trade ministry says
South Africa is committed to ensuring that it is included in any extension of U.S. trade initiative the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Kenya: Plans to extend Agoa under way, says Mudavadi
Kenya is pursuing a bilateral deal with the US to replace the stalled Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) even as President Donald Trump promised a one-year extension of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (Agoa), which allows them preferential access to the key market.
US proposes bill to exclude South Africa from AGOA renewal
This bill, titled the AGOA Extension and Bilateral Engagement Act, was tabled at the end of September and aims to extend the AGOA for two additional years. However, nestled within the legislation is a stipulation that explicitly excludes South Africa from participating in this crucial economic programme.
Lesotho textile workers protest US tariffs amid massive job losses and AGOA uncertainty
Hundreds of textile workers took to the streets of Maseru’s city centre on Friday, demanding urgent relief from crippling US tariffs that have triggered widespread layoffs in Lesotho’s vital garment industry.
Namibia eyes new trade pact with US after AGOA ended
The government has engaged with the United States to explore the possibility of a new trade agreement following the expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on 30 September 2025.
US-Africa envoy sees positive progress on Agoa extension
US President Donald Trump’s Africa envoy signaled progress toward the renewal of a programme allowing African nations duty-free access to the world’s largest economy.
Kenya seeks Turkish apparel investment as AGOA in limbo
With the future of the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in limbo, Kenya is seeking to diversify its export markets by attracting Turkish textile and garment manufacturers.
Will AfCFTA liberalisation cushion african countries against the end of AGOA?
This blog attempts to shed light on the question of whether the liberalisation of merchandise trade on the African continent – which is the stated goal of the AfCFTA – will help cushion the trade impacts of US tariffs and the end of preferences under AGOA.
As AGOA expires, countries will feel “double impact” of US tariffs
The African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) expired on Tuesday 30 September after being in place for 25 years (it was renewed for ten years in 2015).
How a dead US trade deal is pushing Africa further into China’s orbit
Lapse of African Growth and Opportunity Act deals tariff blow to continent and ‘creates fertile ground’ for Beijing to expand its clout.
China to speed up zero-tariff trade pact with Kenya
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, said the two countries will work together to ensure Kenyans start benefiting as soon as possible from the deal. In 2023, China was Kenya’s largest source of imports, valued at approximately Sh459 billion.
US supports one-year renewal of Africa trade pact
The Trump administration has signalled support for a one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
US plans to extend Africa trade deal by a year, says Lesotho minister
Lesotho’s trade minister said on Wednesday that the U.S. plans to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which gives the continent preferential access to U.S. markets, by a year, after returning from a visit to Washington.