The United States’ decision to reauthorise the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through December 2026 has been welcomed by African trade advocates, who see the move as a critical step toward restoring certainty in Africa–U.S. trade relations.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed legislation extending AGOA with retroactive effect from September 30, 2025, following months of uncertainty after the programme’s expiry. The reauthorisation comes as Washington signals a broader review of the trade preference scheme to align it with evolving U.S. trade priorities.
In December 2025, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), Mr Odrek Rwabwogo, said the progress in Washington reflected sustained bipartisan engagement and growing recognition of AGOA’s mutual benefits.
Writing on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Mr Rwabwogo said: “11th – 12th December in Washington, DC, we held important meetings with officers from Senator Chris Coons’ office on the resumption of AGOA. Ambassador Kakonge, Rosa Whitaker, African ambassadors, civil society partners, and the Bennet Group team joined hands with us in this crucial engagement.
“We also met Congressman Jason Smith, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, together with African ambassadors. Yesterday, in a strong bipartisan vote of 37–3, the committee approved a bill to renew AGOA for another three years. This is a major step forward.”
Rwabwogo noted that AGOA, which ended in September 2025 after a 20-year run, had enabled more than USD 103 billion in non-oil exports from Africa to the United States, describing it as America’s most significant preferential trade programme with the continent.
“While it remains America’s preferential trade program with Africa, AGOA has always been a two-way bridge that benefits businesses, workers, and consumers on both sides,” he wrote.
He also highlighted Uganda’s recent trade diplomacy efforts, particularly following the country’s suspension from AGOA in January 2024.
“At PACEID, we have worked tirelessly to expand Uganda’s access to the U.S. market. New opportunities have opened in Detroit, Chicago, and Atlanta for our exporters. When Uganda was suspended in January 2024, we fought hard to keep our case alive and to keep engagement strong.”
Rwabwogo expressed gratitude to U.S. legislators and trade champions who supported the renewal effort.
“I am deeply grateful to all friends of Africa who stood with us, including Rosa Whitaker, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and many others who understand the value of Africa-U.S. trade.”
While welcoming the progress, he cautioned that legislative work remains unfinished.
“Seeing this progress while in Washington, D.C., was encouraging. But the work is not finished. The bill must still pass through Congress and become law.
Let us continue to push forward together so that AGOA returns fully, stronger than before, and African businesses can keep building, producing, and trading with confidence.
AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to more than 5,000 products under the Generalized System of Preferences. Access is conditional on economic reforms, respect for the rule of law, removal of trade barriers, and adherence to human rights standards.
Although the latest extension restores short-term certainty, Washington has indicated that further reforms to the programme are likely, raising the prospect of tougher eligibility requirements as the U.S. seeks a more reciprocal trade relationship with Africa.
