Press Release

New Commercial Service Office Fulfills AGOA Pledge

Office to Help Expand U.S. Trade Relations with 18 African Countries

DAKAR, SENEGAL—U.S. Commerce Acting Deputy Secretary David Sampson today officially opened a new U.S. Commerce Department Commercial Service office in Senegal, fulfilling a key recommendation under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to develop trade relations in new sectors in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Senegal is one of the world’s most improved emerging markets. This new office is a great accomplishment under AGOA. It will be a vital resource in building stronger business ties and economic security in sub-Sahara Africa and at home in the U.S.,” said Sampson.

The new office completes a network across Western African that will help U.S. companies get a foothold in 18 emerging markets. Since AGOA, two-way trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa has risen substantially in the last few years, topping $44 billion last year. AGOA trade incentives helped create ten of thousands of new jobs in Africa, and attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments.

The new office includes a Senior Commercial Officer and two Commercial Service Specialists. They will help U.S. and West African businesses forge new partnerships through business counsel, market research, help in identifying qualified suppliers and assistance in promoting U.S. products and services in West Africa . The office will be linked to over 100 offices in the United States and 50 offices and staff across the African continent.

The office will be located in central Dakar and will serve as a regional hub for Cote D’Ivoire, Chad, The Gambia, Mauritania, Benin, Gabon, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea Conakry, Togo, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

The Commercial Service also has offices in Abidjan, Accra, Lagos, Johannesburg, Capetown, and Nairobi.

Dr. Sampson is in Senegal leading the Commerce Department delegation to the AGOA Forum, which meets regularly to encourage interest and investment in AGOA countries, and to share information and best practices that broaden and deepen trade relations.

For more information on AGOA, click here.