Reauthorization of landmark trade programme aims to deepen U.S.–Africa economic ties while setting stricter reform expectations for participating countries….
The United States government has extended duty-free access to its market for Nigeria and other eligible African countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until December 31, 2026.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on February 3, 2026, by U.S. Ambassador Jamieson Greer, noting that the extension is intended to strengthen trade relations between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. The programme allows participating countries to export more than 1,800 products to the U.S. market without paying duties.
AGOA is designed to support economic growth, encourage political reform and promote sustainable development across eligible African economies.
According to the statement, President Donald Trump signed legislation reauthorising the programme with retroactive effect from September 30, 2025.
“Today, President Trump signed into law legislation that reauthorises the African Growth and Opportunity Act trade preference programme through December 31, 2026, with retroactive effect to September 30, 2025,” the statement said.
Ambassador Greer noted that a modern AGOA must demand greater commitments from participating countries while also expanding opportunities for American businesses, farmers and manufacturers. He added that the programme continues to deliver long-standing benefits for both Africa and the United States.
The reauthorisation outlines key expectations for eligible countries, including progress toward market-based economic systems, political pluralism, respect for human rights and stronger anti-corruption measures. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is expected to update the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to reflect adjustments arising from the extension.
Background
First enacted in 2000, AGOA was created to deepen trade and investment ties between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. The programme grants qualifying countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to more than 5,000 items covered under the Generalized System of Preferences.
To remain eligible, countries must uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, reduce poverty and remove barriers to trade. Over the past two decades, AGOA has supported export expansion, encouraged economic reforms and strengthened institutional development across the continent.
Originally scheduled to expire in 2015, the programme was extended in 2015 to 2025 and has now been prolonged to the end of 2026. As of 2025, 32 African countries remain eligible for AGOA benefits.
Eligible countries include Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Angola, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Mauritius and several others across sub-Saharan Africa.
Trade impact and Nigeria’s role
Nigeria continues to play a significant role in U.S.–Africa trade dynamics. Between January and October 2025, the United States recorded a $1.45 billion goods trade surplus with Nigeria, reversing a $1.367 billion deficit recorded during the same period in 2024.
U.S. exports to Nigeria rose to $5.94 billion, while imports declined to $4.49 billion. In October 2025 alone, the U.S. posted a $162 million trade surplus, up from $116 million in September, driven largely by strong export growth, which increased by 80.3 percent compared to October 2024.
Nigeria accounted for approximately 17.4 percent of U.S. exports to Africa and contributed nearly 31 percent of the continent’s total U.S. trade surplus in October, underscoring the country’s strategic importance in U.S.–Africa economic relations.
The latest AGOA extension is expected to further strengthen trade flows, encourage policy reforms and reinforce Nigeria’s position within the broader U.S.–Africa trade framework.
