US Terminates AGOA for South Africa and Rwanda, SA Ambassador Calls Decision Preventable
The United States will end duty-free access for South Africa and Rwanda under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) effective January 1, after President Donald Trump found both governments engaged in practices inconsistent with eligibility criteria, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced Monday.
The decision, which strips Pretoria of its status as AGOA’s largest beneficiary with $1.7 billion in duty-free exports in 2025, has been described as regrettable but predictable by Washington.
“It is regrettable that South African policies led to the termination of AGOA for South Africa. This was a predictable and preventable outcome resulting from the rejection by South Africa’s government of real concerns raised by the U.S. Government,” the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa said in a statement issued after the announcement.
The Ambassador said Washington cited barriers to U.S. trade and investment, corruption and threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy as reasons for South Africa’s removal, while Rwanda was flagged for trade barriers, rule of law and human rights concerns.
“I remain hopeful that we can find a path forward to address our larger bilateral concerns, but the South African government must understand the gravity of the situation. We know that if America succeeds, so too will South Africa. This is the partnership I will continue to pursue as expeditiously as possible,” the Ambassador added.
AGOA, enacted in 2000 and extended in February to end-2026 after expiring last September, gives eligible African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market. Both South Africa and Rwanda have 60 days before the termination takes effect.