African manufacturers are mounting a last-ditch lobbying effort to secure an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. trade programme that grants duty-free access to American markets. The scheme, which expires in September 2025, has been a cornerstone of Africa–U.S. trade relations since its enactment in 2000.
Industry groups from Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa have intensified talks with U.S. lawmakers, warning that the loss of AGOA would cripple export-dependent industries such as textiles, automobiles, and agricultural goods. “Without AGOA, many factories will shut down, and thousands of jobs will be at risk,” the Kenya Association of Manufacturers stressed in a statement carried by Business Daily Africa.
U.S. officials have acknowledged the importance of the programme but have also tied its renewal to governance and human rights standards. A senior U.S. Trade Representative official, cited by Reuters, noted that discussions in Washington are weighing an early, long-term renewal to give businesses certainty but highlighted that some countries’ eligibility remains under review.
Analysts told Financial Times that a failure to extend AGOA could weaken U.S. influence in Africa at a time when China is expanding trade and infrastructure ties across the continent. Manufacturers are urging both U.S. Congress and African governments to speed up negotiations to avoid a last-minute collapse.
The programme has supported over $10 billion in non-oil exports from Africa annually, with apparel industries in East Africa among the biggest beneficiaries. A decision on the extension is expected to dominate the agenda of the U.S.–Africa Business Summit later this year.
