African exporters may regain duty-free access to the United States as discussions progress over the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which lapsed at the end of September, Bloomberg reported.

The trade programme, established in 2000, has long served as the foundation of US–Africa commercial ties, granting tariff-free entry for more than 1,800 products from 32 sub-Saharan nations. Its expiry triggered concern among African governments and businesses that rely on the scheme to maintain competitiveness in the American market.

Signs of progress emerged after Massad Boulos, the US president’s senior adviser for Africa, told Bloomberg that “it’s moving positively in the right direction.” Congress, he said, has until the end of the year to decide whether to extend the arrangement.

Renewal requires legislative approval, with the last extension enacted in 2015. The programme’s lapse coincided with a period of heightened protectionism in Washington, marked by tariffs imposed on US trading partners earlier in August. The International Trade Centre estimates that duties on AGOA countries could rise to an average of 13.9% if the agreement remains suspended.

African officials expect that any immediate renewal may be temporary. “The short extension will be a basis for the sub-Saharan African countries and the US to identify improvements,” said Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter, South Africa’s deputy director general for trade, industry and competition, earlier this month.

Trade between the United States and AGOA-eligible countries totalled $47 billion in 2023, with American exports reaching $18.2 billion and imports valued at $29.3 billion.