WASHINGTON, United States – U.S. President Donald Trump has notified Congress and the governments of Rwanda and South Africa of his intention to terminate their participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), with the proposed removals set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The announcement was made on November 2 by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who said the decision followed an annual review of eligibility for the trade preference programme.
Greer said the review, led by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in coordination with other government agencies, found that both countries were engaging in practices considered inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility requirements.
“These concerning and pervasive practices include, but are not limited to, barriers that undermine American trade and investment and practices that pose a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests in the region,” Greer said.
He added that the Trump administration wanted its African partners to take the necessary steps to comply with the programme’s eligibility conditions.
Washington’s Case Against Rwanda and South Africa
The US statement did not treat the two countries’ cases as identical, outlining separate areas of concern for each government.
For Rwanda, Washington cited trade and investment barriers, rule of law, political pluralism and internationally recognised workers’ rights.
The administration also raised concerns about human rights and what it described as threats to US national security and foreign policy interests.
In South Africa’s case, the statement identified barriers to American trade and investment, corruption and national security and foreign policy concerns.
January 2027 Deadline Looms
AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with preferential access to the US market by allowing qualifying products to enter duty-free.
Termination would expose affected exports from Rwanda and South Africa to the normal applicable US import duties, potentially increasing costs for exporters selling into the American market.
South Africa has been among the programme’s largest beneficiaries, making the proposed removal particularly significant for its exporters.
The January 1, 2027 date also comes as the current AGOA authorisation period approaches its scheduled expiry on December 31, 2026.
The latest announcement therefore places the two countries’ trade relationship with Washington under further pressure as the future of the wider US-Africa trade framework comes into focus.
