Wilson Center Hosts AGOA Forum Ahead of 2025 Renewal Decision

This event brought together African civil society organizations, labor unions, and small business partners to provide input on the forthcoming AGOA renewal deliberations in Congress.

On July 24th, the Wilson Center convened the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Civil Society and Organized Labor Forum to discuss the future of the AGOA program as it approaches its expiration in September 2025. This event brought together African civil society organizations, labor unions, and small business partners to provide input on the forthcoming AGOA renewal deliberations in Congress.

AGOA is a nonreciprocal U.S. trade preference program that offers eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to U.S. markets. To qualify, countries must meet certain labor and human rights standards, including worker rights, the right to organize and collectively bargain, minimum wage regulations, occupational safety, and the elimination of forced and child labor.

Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and James Risch (R-Idaho) have co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to extend AGOA until 2041. Senator Coons has voiced concerns that short-term renewals could undermine economic stability in the region and reduce certainty for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

The AGOA Summit underscored the program's success in bolstering U.S.-Africa relations, promoting human rights (including labor rights), and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, including those owned by women. Africa's economic influence continues to grow, with significant trade volumes with China. In 2023, U.S. imports under AGOA reached $9.7 billion.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted AGOA's role in creating tens of thousands of jobs in the U.S., diversifying American companies' supply chains, and providing consumers with more affordable, innovative products. He also noted AGOA's impact on creating a more stable and transparent marketplace, which attracts more direct investment into African enterprises. President Biden supports reauthorizing AGOA with amendments to address climate change, pandemic response, and evolving global demands.

AGOA enjoys bipartisan support, including backing from former President Donald Trump, who integrated it into his African Strategy. As Trump is the Republican Presidential nominee for the upcoming election, the debate in Congress is expected to focus on the terms and duration of the renewal rather than the program's continuation.

We will continue to monitor developments regarding AGOA and provide updates on the progress and implications of the 2025 reauthorization.