AGOA Expires After 25 Years

AGOA Expires — What the End of America’s Landmark Africa Trade Deal Means for Local Economies

By David Boakye

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US trade program providing duty-free access to US markets for eligible sub-Saharan African countries, expired on September 30, 2025, after 25 years. Despite bipartisan efforts and last-minute support from the Trump administration, Congress did not renew the program. AGOA played a significant role in boosting African exports worth nearly $10 billion in 2023, especially in textiles and apparel, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in Africa.

Locally, the expiration raises concerns of job losses, factory closures, and rising tariffs that could increase costs for African exporters and disrupt US supply chains relying on African goods. Many African governments and businesses are apprehensive about the uncertain trade future, with some fearing negative economic impacts, especially in nations like Lesotho, Madagascar, Botswana, and South Africa, where AGOA was a vital lifeline.

While there is continued support within the US Congress and the administration for AGOA’s renewal—citing its strategic importance for US-Africa trade relations and regional economic growth—political and legislative hurdles have delayed action. The expiration puts pressure on both sides to negotiate new trade frameworks that address contemporary trade and investment needs beyond AGOA.

The end of AGOA symbolizes a pivotal moment for US-Africa trade: a challenge for the continuation of duty-free trade benefits, but also an opportunity for new partnerships that may better reflect the evolving economic landscape and strategic interests of both regions.

About the Author 

Mike Boakye is an emerging business analyst based in London.

Articles published under Opinion represent the personal views and experiences of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, editorial stance, or policies of VIP News.