US Congress Extends AGOA Through 2028: AGOA CSO Network Welcomes Trade Victory
- The United States Congress has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act through December 31, 2028, according to the AGOA Civil Society Organization Network.
- African exports under AGOA span multiple core industries, providing a stable environment for investment, job creation, and supply-chain expansion.
- Minerals and metals accounted for nearly half of all AGOA trade in 2024.
The United States Congress has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act through December 31, 2028, according to the AGOA Civil Society Organization Network. The legislative renewal secures duty-free access for more than 1,800 tariff lines across 33 eligible African nations, preserving a vital trade framework that generated more than $30 billion in African exports to the U.S. in 2024.
African exports under AGOA span multiple core industries, providing a stable environment for investment, job creation, and supply-chain expansion. Apparel exports exceeded $1.4 billion in 2024, sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs in key producer nations such as Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, and Ethiopia, according to trade data cited by the AGOA CSO Network. Agricultural shipments expanded by more than 20 percent, driven by specialty crops, nuts, fruits, and floriculture.
Minerals and metals accounted for nearly half of all AGOA trade in 2024. South Africa, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded strong performances in this sector. Meanwhile, automotive components exported from South Africa and Morocco continued to expand under trade preferences. Smaller least developed countries also depend heavily on third-country fabric provisions that remain part of the framework.
Calls for Long-Term Modernization
Despite welcoming the legislative action, trade advocates and civil society leaders caution that a two-year extension offers limited stability. Long-term certainty, ideally spanning 10 to 15 years, remains essential for sustained industrialization, export diversification, and regional value-chain development across the continent. Stakeholders are pressing for structural updates to align the U.S. program with the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Extending AGOA to 2028 is a major achievement. But it is only the beginning. We must seize this moment to define the future of U.S.-Africa trade. I invite all civil society organizations, private‑sector leaders, and government stakeholders to join us at AfrICANDO 2026 in Umuahia. Your voice is essential to shaping a modernized AGOA that delivers inclusive growth, deeper regional integration, and long‑term prosperity for Africa.
Fred Oladeinde, Chairman, AGOA Civil Society Organization Network
The Road to AfrICANDO 2026
With two years remaining before the next reauthorization cycle, the AGOA CSO Network is urging governments, businesses, and civil society groups to coordinate their positions. Organizers intend to use the upcoming AfrICANDO 2026 gathering in Umuahia as a primary platform to present a unified African stance. Advocacy priorities for the 2026-2028 window include convening regional consultations, documenting private-sector impacts for the USTR annual eligibility review, and pushing for a long-term reauthorization extending to 2040.