US House approves Agoa extension, sends bill to Senate

January 13, 2026 at 10:42 am

Reuters

The problem is not merely that Agoa may be withdrawn. The problem is that SA lacks the economic resilience to withstand its loss, says the writer. Picture: 123RF/ANDRIY MIGYELYEV — The African Growth and Opportunity Act was first enacted in 2000 to provide duty-free access to the US market for eligible sub-Saharan countries and products. (, 123RF/ANDRIY MIGYELYEV)

The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday that would renew Washington’s preferential trade programme for some African countries through to 2028.

The House approved the extension for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), first enacted in 2000 to provide duty-free access to the US market for eligible sub-Saharan countries and products, by a vote of 340 to 54, the House press gallery said in a posting on the social media website X.

The bill will next go to the Senate.