The US has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until the end of 2028, giving South African exporters more certainty about access to the US market.
The extension follows months of uncertainty over the future of the trade programme, which allows eligible African countries to export certain products to the United States without paying import duties.
US President Donald Trump reportedly signed the legislation into law on Wednesday.
The US House of Representatives approved the extension by 370 votes to 48 on Tuesday, after the Senate backed it in August.
AGOA is a US trade programme that allows eligible African countries to export certain products to the United States without paying import duties. It was introduced in 2000 to promote trade and investment between the US and African countries. The programme expired in September 2025 but was later extended to the end of 2026.
Tension between South Africa and the US
The extension comes as relations between South Africa and the US remain strained.
The two countries have disagreed over South Africa’s foreign policy, including its relations with Russia, China and Iran. South Africa has also taken Israel to the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza, a move that has further contributed to tensions with Washington.
There have also been calls in the US to remove South Africa from AGOA. Some US lawmakers have introduced bills calling for South Africa to be excluded from the programme and for Washington to review its relationship with South Africa.
