President Donald Trump has signed legislation extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for another two years, drawing praise from World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and lawmakers in the United States.
The development comes after the trade programme’s previous authorisation expired on September 30, 2025. Nigeria is among 32 African countries that benefit from AGOA, which provides eligible nations with duty-free access to the US market for qualifying products.
Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the extension in a post on X, expressing hope that the decision would contribute to stronger and mutually beneficial trade between Africa and the United States.
She also acknowledged the efforts of the US Congress, the administration, the African Union and African leaders in pushing for the continuation of the programme.
The US House of Representatives had earlier approved legislation to renew AGOA, passing the measure by 340 votes to 54. The Senate and House subsequently backed an extension that will keep the programme in place until December 31, 2028.
The renewal comes after months of uncertainty over the future of AGOA, with concerns that the Trump administration could significantly alter or even discontinue the programme. South Africa’s continued participation had also come under particular scrutiny.
Some US lawmakers who supported the extension have welcomed Trump’s decision to sign it into law.
Republican Congressman Jason Smith said AGOA has played a major role in America’s trade relationship with sub-Saharan African countries for more than two decades. He noted that the programme promotes economic opportunities across Africa while also serving US strategic interests, including access to critical minerals and more secure supply chains.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell also praised the extension, describing AGOA as an important instrument for strengthening economic ties between the US and African countries. She said the additional two years would provide an opportunity to further modernise and expand trade relations.
The extension also allows eligible imports to receive retroactive duty-free treatment from the date the previous programme expired. This means importers may be able to obtain refunds for duties paid during the period when AGOA was inactive on qualifying goods.
Established in 2000, AGOA was designed to promote economic growth and deepen trade and investment relations between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.
