Opinion: Renewing the US African growth act is a strategic imperative

As the 118th United States Congress enters its final phase of work over the coming months, we urge House and Senate leaders to take up and pass a long-term renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, with a focus on increasing the use of the program and on dramatically increasing two-way U.S.-Africa trade and investment flows.  

Africa is a focal point in rising geopolitical competition, as China and Russia seek advantage on the continent through investments, trade, and military cooperation, while undermining democratic governments. In the face of this growing malign influence, it is imperative that the U.S. strengthen our relationships with partners on the continent to safeguard our foreign policy interests and promote our values of free market economics, democratic governance, and protection of civil liberties. Renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, is essential to this strategy.

AGOA is a trade preference program that provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for certain products in exchange for adherence to eligibility criteria including respect for human rights, labor protections, rule of law, anti-corruption efforts, and removal of barriers to trade.