The White House has signaled its support for a one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), offering temporary relief to several countries on the continent. AGOA, a program that has bolstered trade via duty-free access to the US since its launch in 2000, is currently set to expire at the end of this month. However, the program’s effectiveness has been complicated by the Trump administration’s own tariffs on several African nations, which analysts say have already strained economic ties. Research indicates that a full expiration would severely impact key African exports, with countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Lesotho facing potential declines in apparel and automotive shipments. While this proposed extension offers a temporary lifeline, it underscores a period of uncertainty for long-term trade partnerships between the US and the continent.
Bloomberg
