US House Passes AGOA Extension for African Trade

The United States House of Representatives passed the AGOA Extension Act on Tuesday with a bipartisan vote of 370 to 48. The legislation extends a trade preference program for sub-Saharan African nations until the end of 2028, following a similar approval by the United States Senate in early August. The act now awaits the signature of President Donald Trump to become law.

While the extension aims to stabilize trade and investment, eligible countries will continue to face industry-specific tariffs. The act also introduces levies for nations that fail to prevent forced labor in their supply chains. This measure is part of a broader strategy by the administration to rebuild import duties after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down previous sweeping tariffs.

First enacted in 2000, the program covers more than 30 African countries. The United States Trade Representative noted that trade between the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa totaled approximately $50 billion in 2022. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius stated that the extension provides greater predictability for eligible countries and businesses while expanding investment relations.