The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was signed into law by President Clinton in May 2000, to expand U.S. trade and investment with Sub-Saharan Africa, to stimulate economic growth, to promote a high-level dialogue on trade and investment-related issues, to encourage economic integration, and to facilitate sub-Saharan Africa's integration into the global economy. As of April 2009, 40 sub-Saharan African countries were eligible for AGOA benefits.

Since its inception, AGOA has helped to increase U.S. two-way trade with sub-Saharan Africa.

At the center of AGOA are substantial trade preferences that, coupled with those under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), allow all marketable goods produced in AGOA-eligible countries to enter the U.S. market duty-free.

The U.S. Government provides assistance -- most notably through four regional trade hubs -- to African governments and businesses that are seeking to make the most of AGOA and to diversify their exports to the United States.

The U.S. Congress requires the President to determine annually whether sub-Saharan African countries are eligible for AGOA benefits based on progress in meeting certain criteria, including progress toward the establishment of a market-based economy, rule of law, economic policies to reduce poverty, protection of internationally recognized worker rights, and efforts to combat corruption.

On December 20, 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Africa Investment Incentive Act of 2006 as part of an omnibus health, tax and trade bill (see the AGOA portion of the bill).

— President Bush Signs AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 on July 13, 2004 (White House Press release, 07/13/04)

AGOA News

Ambassador Schwab signs historic trade agreement with the countries of the Southern African Customs Union (07/16/08)

Africa Trade Act Seen as Important Tool in Poverty Fight (U.S. Department of State; 07/19/07)

Sub-Saharan Africa Benefits from Expanded International Trade (U.S. Department of State; 07/19/07)

Africa Trade Act Has Human and Business Face (U.S. Department of State; 07/18/07)

African Growth and Opportunity Act Creates Thousands of Jobs (U.S. Department of State; 07/12/07)

Africa Trade Act Helps Liberalize Continent’s Economies (U.S. Department of State; 07/09/07)

African Countries Can Benefit from More Trade (U.S. Department of State; 07/06/07)

G8 Leaders Pledge Assistance for Africa, Emerging Economies (U.S. Department of State; 06/08/07)

Bush Outlines U.S. Development Agenda Before G8 Summit (U.S. Department of State; 05/31/07)
— Chronic Economic, Social Hardships Seen as Food Crises Increase (U.S. Department of State; 05/25/07)

2007 AGOA Report Shows Growth in U.S. – Africa Trade (05/18/07)

U.S.-Africa Forum Expanding Beyond Trade Issues (U.S. Department of State; 05/18/07)

Small African Businesses Lag in Reaping AGOA Benefits (U.S. Department of State, 06/12/06)

Johanns Announces Trade and Investment Mission To East Africa (06/07/06)
— Transcript of Johanns Remarks (06/07/06)
— Johanns Announces East African Investment Mission (USDA Radio News; 06/07/06 - real, mp3, wave)
— Remarks of Deputy USTR Susan Schwab at the AGOA Investment Summit (06/08/06)

United States and Rwanda Sign Agreement to Deepen Trade and Investment Relations (06/07/06)

Private Sector, Trade Main Issues for Africa Trade Act Forum (U.S. Department of State, 05/24/06)
— AGOA Forum 2006 Private Sector Events

U.S.-African Trade Increased 115 Percent Since AGOA's Enactment (U.S. Department of State; 05/19/06)

Trade Transforms Economies, Reduces Poverty (U.S. Department of State; 09/24/07)

2007 AGOA Report Shows Growth in U.S. – Africa Trade (05/18/07)

The Sixth AGOA Forum in Accra, Ghana, July 18-19, 2007
— Africa Trade Forum Proves Networking Success (U.S. Department of State; 07/23/07)
— African Agricultural Exports Focus of Capacity-Building Program (U.S. Department of State; 07/20/07)
— Keenum Announces Capacity Building Programs for African Countries (07/19/07)
— Remarks by Mark Keenum:  Facilitating Agricultural Trade and Development under AGOA (07/19/07; .pdf)
— Africa Trade Act Seen as Important Tool in Poverty Fight (U.S. Department of State; 07/19/07)
— Agriculture Can Be Key to Diversifying African Trade (U.S. Department of State; 07/18/07)
— Remarks By U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab at the AGOA Forum – Opening Ceremony (07/18/07; .pdf)
— USDA To Attend Sixth AGOA Forum in Ghana  (07/12/07)
— AGOA Web Site from Ghana
— AGOA Forum 2007 Notional Schedule (.pdf)
— AGOA Forum 2007 Announcement (.pdf)
— 2007 Comprehensive Report on U.S. Trade and Investment Policy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa and Implementation of AGOA (.pdf)
— Foreign Press Center: Scene Setter for the Sixth AGOA Forum, Transcript (5/18/07)
— 2007 AGOA Fact Sheet

The Fifth AGOA Forum in Washington, DC, June 6-7, 2006
— AGOA Forum 2006 Brochure
— AGOA Forum 2006 Notional Schedule
— AGOA Forum 2006 Announcement
— Transcript of Press Conference Announcing AGOA Forum 2006 (05/11/06)
— AGOA Forum 2006 Summary
— "Advancing African Growth and Opportunity through Global Competitiveness" (USAID Press Release, 05/11/06)
Remarks
— World Bank President Says Africa Must Remain Bank's Top Priority (U.S. Department of State; 06/08/06)
— U.S. Trade Official Sees "New Era" in U.S.–Africa Trade (U.S. Department of State; 06/07/06)
— Investment Is Surest Way To Eliminate Poverty in Africa (U.S. Department of State; 06/07/06)
— USAID Re-examining Partnerships with African Civil Sector (U.S. Department of State; 06/07/06)
— Educated, Healthy People Africa's "Greatest Untapped Resource" (U.S. Department of State; 06/07/06)
— USAID Administrator Affirms U.S. Economic Commitment to Africa (U.S. Department of State; 06/06/06)
— Remarks by Deputy USTR Karan Bhatia at the AGOA Private Sector Forum (06/05/06)

Web Sites
— Official AGOA Web site
— USTR's AGOA Web pages
— AGOA Comparison: Before and After
— List of AGOA Resources