US Seeks to Improve $5bn Duty Free Africa Imports under AGOA

[ABS News Service/19.08.2026]

Congress has a number of options to consider as it faces the upcoming expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity at the end of this year, according to a new report from the Congressional Research Service.

The Senate recently approved a two-year reauthorization of the program, with no changes. The House will need to deal with AGOA renewal when it returns next month. The White House has said it would prefer a single-year reauthorization to allow time for a major reform of the program.

CRS noted that lawmakers choose to any of those options, reauthorize AGOA with changes or replace it with a new preferences program.

“Congress may evaluate the program's impact and whether the program has achieved its goals, as well as consider whether AGOA aligns with evolving US trade policy objectives, such as addressing reciprocity in the bilateral trade relationship and strengthening US supply chain security, especially for strategic sectors such as semiconductors and critical minerals,” according to the report.

Possible Improvements

Noting that the Administration has called for changes to the program to increase reciprocity and supply chain security, CRS said that lawmakers might want to consider ways to improve AGOA’s effectiveness and increase utilization by beneficiary countries.

Some lawmakers are suggesting that AGOA should be restructured to counter China’s growing influence on the continent.

Other possible changes include amending eligibility criteria and the annual review process, changing rules-of-origin requirements and creating policies.

CRS pointed out that some policy experts contend AGOA is well-positioned to strengthen US-Africa supply chains in strategic sectors such as critical minerals and rare earth minerals.

For calendar year 2026, 33 countries are eligible for AGOA benefits.

In 2025, US imports that received AGOA duty-free treatment totaled $5 billion, down from $7.9 billion in 2024, according to the report. The biggest beneficiaries of AGOA, by value, were South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Kenya and Madagascar. The top five categories of AGOA imports were refined copper, apparel, passenger vehicles, crude oil and ferroalloys.