US Renews AGOA: Duty-Free Access Restored for 32 African Nations

• The US has renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), restoring duty-free access to the US market for 32 African countries.
• President Donald Trump signed the law, reauthorizing the pact through December 31, 2026, with retroactive effect from September 30, 2025.
• AGOA, a key US-Africa trade pillar for 25 years, allows billions in duty-free goods like cars and clothing to be imported from eligible African nations.
• The program's lapse last September led to higher tariffs for exporters and job losses in several African industries.
• In 2024, $8.23 billion in goods were exported under AGOA, with South Africa and Nigeria being major contributors; smaller economies like Lesotho faced significant strain and job cuts.