AGOA - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

AGOA-AfCFTA to offer a trade highway to the US until 2041

FORTY African nations could have duty-free access to U.S. markets until 2041, as Congress considers a bipartisan bill extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and James Risch (R-Idaho) tabled a revised AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 in Congress, which now explicitly integrates it with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). This alignment incentivises more African countries to join the regional trade agreement by linking AGOA's trade benefits directly to membership. "The President is authorized to designate a country as an eligible AfCFTA country if — that country has signed and ratified…

Nov

2023

By JOE BAVIER

Africa-US trade programme needs at least 10-year extension, AU says

NEWS

AFRICA wants the U.S. Congress to renew its flagship trade programme for the continent for at least 10 years, the African Union's top trade official said on Thursday, adding that any modifications to the initiative should only be considered later. Speaking at the start of three days of meetings of African trade ministers and U.S. officials, AU Trade Commissioner Albert Muchanga also said the United States will not be granted tariff-free access to a new African free trade area. First launched in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) grants exports from qualifying African countries duty-free access to the United States…

Nov

2023

By JOE BAVIER and DUNCAN MIRIRI

How African apparel industry’s future depends on U.S. Congress

NEWS

NORAH Nasimiyu knows the future of Kenya's garment trade, which has employed her for 13 years and helped her put six children through school and university, lies in the hands of the U.S. Congress. And like others, she is worried. U.S. officials visiting South Africa this week to meet African trade ministers will face calls to reauthorise the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which expires in 2025. Despite longstanding bipartisan support from lawmakers, who view Washington's flagship African trade initiative as critical to taking on China, deep dysfunction on Capitol Hill and divisions over the need for updates have raised doubts.…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

US to evict Gabon, Niger, Uganda and Central African Republic from trade program

NEWS

U.S. President Joe Biden said that he intends to end the participation of Gabon, Niger, Uganda and the Central African Republic in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade program. Biden said he was taking the step because of "gross violations" of internationally recognized human rights by the Central African Republic and Uganda. He also cited Niger and Gabon's failure to establish or make continual progress toward the protection of political pluralism and the rule of law. "Despite intensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address…

Oct

2023

By JOE BAVIER

U.S.-Africa duty-free programme needs changes

BUSINESS

THE United States should make changes to its flagship trade initiative with Africa that would increase its impact as part of a potential reauthorisation by Congress, a senior U.S. trade official said. Launched in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) grants exports from qualifying countries duty-free access to the U.S. market. It is set to expire in September 2025, but discussions are already underway over whether to extend it and for how long. "We need to do better," Assistant United States Trade Representative for African Affairs Constance Hamilton told a media briefing ahead of a meeting of U.S.…

Jun

2023

By The African Mirror

SA-Russia ties: US MPs seek punishment

NEWS

A group of U.S. lawmakers is calling for a U.S.-Africa trade summit planned for later this year to be moved from South Africa in response to what they said was the country's "deepening military relationship" with Russia. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials, they also suggested South Africa is in danger of losing its benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - Washington's flagship trade programme. South Africa is due to host the AGOA Forum in Johannesburg, a meeting of African leaders and U.S. officials, to discuss the future of…