![President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participate in the U.S.-Africa Summit Leaders Session on partnering on the African Union’s Agenda 2063 in Washington, D.C., on December 15, 2022. [State Department Photo by Ron Przysucha/ Public Domain]](https://theafricadailypost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/52565976744_ac7ce03e44_b-860x574.jpg)
Washington D.C. – The Biden administration will welcome trade ministers from sub-Saharan Africa to Washington next week for the 21st US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum). This key event, running from July 24th to 26th, comes amid discussions to extend the critical African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until 2041.
The forum will bring together government officials, representatives from regional economic organizations, civil society groups, labor unions, and private sector leaders from both the US and AGOA-eligible countries.
“This forum is an opportunity to strengthen AGOA and ensure it delivers real benefits to people across Africa,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai, the United States Trade Representative. “We’ll discuss how to make the program more effective in today’s economic climate and drive inclusive and sustainable growth.”
The forum theme, “Beyond 2025: Reimagining AGOA for an Inclusive, Sustainable, and Prosperous Tomorrow,” reflects the focus on future-proofing the act. Discussions will center on how the US and African partners can work together to maximize AGOA’s impact.
AGOA’s Success and Potential
Enacted in 2000, AGOA has been instrumental in boosting African economic potential. It provides duty-free access to the US market for over 1,800 products from sub-Saharan African nations, supplementing the duty-free benefits offered by the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.
Last year, US imports under AGOA and the GSP program from Africa reached nearly $10 billion. This trade includes crude oil, textiles, apparel, and agricultural products. Kenya and Ethiopia are leading exporters of clothing to the US under AGOA.
Extending and Integrating AGOA
With AGOA set to expire in 2025, the US Congress is considering proposals for a significant extension. A bipartisan bill introduced in March 2024 by Senators Chris Coons and James Risch proposes extending AGOA until 2041 and expanding its reach to cover all 54 African nations.
This extension aims to integrate AGOA with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), fostering the development of robust intra-African supply chains. The AGOA Forum discussions are expected to pave the way for a strengthened US-Africa trade partnership.
