The Trump administration’s stance on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is expected become clearer this week as the three-day Agoa Forum kicks off today (Tuesday) in the coastal city of Lomé, Togo.
Around 40 African finance and trade ministers, along with a large contingent of senior US government officials – led by US trade representative Robert Lighthizer – are in attendance.
The Agoa law – first approved in May 200 and re-authorised for a further 10 years in 2015 – provides duty-free access for more than 6 000 items exported from eligible sub-Saharan African countries.
The forum is held every year as a platform for promoting stronger economic ties between the United States and the qualifying sub-Saharan African countries that receive enhanced market access under Agoa.
Lighthizer will reportedly stress the importance to the administration of deepening its trade relationship with Africa, but will also caution that African countries should "engage in fair trade, eliminate barriers to U.S. exports and abide by the eligibility criteria of the Agoa programme," according to Constance Hamilton, deputy assistant US trade representative for Africa.
