Since its enactment in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been at the core of U.S. economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa. AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to the more than 5,000 products that are eligible for duty-free access under the Generalized System of Preferences program.
To meet AGOA’s rigorous eligibility requirements, countries must establish or make continual progress toward establishing a market-based economy, the rule of law, political pluralism, and the right to due process. Additionally, countries must eliminate barriers to U.S. trade and investment, enact policies to reduce poverty, combat corruption and protect human rights.
By providing new market opportunities, AGOA has helped bolster economic growth, promoted economic and political reform, and improved U.S. economic relations in the region.
38 countries are eligible for AGOA benefits in 2020. In 2015, Congress passed legislation modernizing and extending the program to 2025.
More information on U.S. trade policy toward sub-Saharan Africa, including the model FTA initiative, can be found here.
More information on USTR’s implementation of the AGOA program can be found at the tabs to the left.
Information concerning the U.S. Agency for International Development’s support for utilization of the AGOA program can be found here and here.
Information concerning the U.S. Department of State’s support for utilization of the AGOA program, including through its embassies in sub-Saharan Africa, can be found here.
