The United States (US) is working to expand the reach of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) into Africa’s underserved nations as part of its effort to modernize the investment program.
During a recent digital press briefing on the AGOA 2024 Forum, Constance Hamilton, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, and Joy Basu, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, discussed how the U.S. plans to incorporate the resolutions of participating countries to enhance the effectiveness of the trade and investment program.
Hamilton noted that the U.S. Congress is focused on modernizing AGOA to better serve countries in Africa that have not benefited as much as others.
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At the 2024 U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation AGOA Forum, held from July 24 to 26, 2024, participating nations committed to strengthening their economic partnerships and addressing challenges to the program’s effectiveness.
The AGOA Forum, themed “Beyond 2025: Reimagining AGOA for an Inclusive, Sustainable, and Prosperous Tomorrow,” featured senior officials from the U.S. and AGOA-eligible countries, as well as representatives from key regional economic organizations, labor groups, civil society, and the private sector.
Hamilton emphasized the U.S. commitment to AGOA and discussed efforts to enhance the program’s usage, promote worker-centric trade policies, and strengthen partnerships to create economic opportunities for both Americans and Africans.
She highlighted discussions on overcoming barriers faced by women, youth, and small businesses in the African diaspora, and how to better leverage the multilateral trading system to benefit underserved communities.
Hamilton also addressed challenges, such as South Africa’s new sanitary requirements for citrus products, and explained why some countries might lose AGOA status.
Joy Basu from the Department of State reiterated the Biden administration’s commitment to reauthorizing AGOA and extending free trade between Nigeria and other African countries.
She mentioned ongoing reviews of the eligibility of countries that have lost AGOA status.
Hamilton assured that the AGOA forum complements, rather than conflicts with, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), and pledged that U.S. policies would align with AfCFTA objectives.
At the AGOA Forum, Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Commercial and Investment Partnership with the U.S., focusing on areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, digital economy, investment promotion, and regulatory reforms, according to Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.
