US-Africa Summit in South Africa: Trade, Development, and AGOA Extension
The US-Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade forum has begun in Johannesburg, South Africa, with African ministers and US officials in attendance. AGOA, a legislation signed into law in 2000, grants duty-free access to nearly 40 sub-Saharan African countries to US markets. The summit aims to discuss extending AGOA beyond its current expiration in 2025, promoting inclusive economic growth, and enhancing supply chain resilience. The US has announced its intention to remove Uganda, Niger, Gabon, and the Central African Republic from AGOA for failing to meet eligibility criteria.