After 25 years, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—the landmark policy on U.S.-Africa trade—expired on Sept. 30, 2025. To encourage investment and trade diversification, AGOA accorded at the time of its expiration 32 sub-Saharan African countries privileged access to U.S. markets by eliminating U.S. import tariffs on more than 1,800 products. On Feb. 3, the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending package that includes reauthorization of the program until the end of the year. However, such an abbreviated extension perpetuates uncertainty and discourages sustained, long-horizon investment—underscoring the importance for a durable and predictable U.S.-Africa trade framework to achieve mutual prosperity.

From the United States’ perspective, AGOA has consistently contributed to U.S. economic and strategic interests by supporting jobs, increasing access to critical minerals, and enhancing energy security—all crucial goals for the Trump administration’s America First agenda. The State Department describes AGOA as “the cornerstone of U.S. economic engagement with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.”

After 25 years, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—the landmark policy on U.S.-Africa trade—expired on Sept. 30, 2025. To encourage investment and trade diversification, AGOA accorded at the time of its expiration 32 sub-Saharan African countries privileged access to U.S. markets by eliminating U.S. import tariffs on more than 1,800 products. On Feb. 3, the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending package that includes reauthorization of the program until the end of the year. However, such an abbreviated extension perpetuates uncertainty and discourages sustained, long-horizon investment—underscoring the importance for a durable and predictable U.S.-Africa trade framework to achieve mutual prosperity.

From the United States’ perspective, AGOA has consistently contributed to U.S. economic and strategic interests by supporting jobs, increasing access to critical minerals, and enhancing energy security—all crucial goals for the Trump administration’s America First agenda. The State Department describes AGOA as “the cornerstone of U.S. economic engagement with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.”

The Biden administration signaled an interest in reforming and reauthorizing AGOA, and Congress introduced various bipartisan bills, but none were taken to a vote before the end of President Joe Biden’s term. Officials signaled interest in a one-year extension when President Donald Trump took office, but AGOA’s expiration date coincided with the annual budget deadline, and Congress was unable to reach an agreement—leading to a record-long 43-day government shutdown and the expiration of AGOA before legislation could be passed.

If AGOA is not renewed or replaced with a credible alternative, the United States would lose much more than a trade program: It would sacrifice one of its most important tools of economic diplomacy, weaken supply chain resilience, and signal unreliability as a partner precisely when Africa’s population, markets, and global influence are surging. As Congress considers proposals to........

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