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Reinstatement of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to AGOA

Yesterday evening, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation reinstating the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) eligibility for trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This decision affirms the DRC’s progress in meeting AGOA’s rigorous eligibility requirements as established by the U.S. Congress and President Tshisekedi’s efforts to reform and strengthen the DRC’s democratic institutions, protect human rights, and to combat corruption. The reinstatement recognizes the DRC’s...

05 January 2021

Kenya exports to US climb to Sh67 billion

Kenyan exports to America under the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) hit Sh67 billion last year, a marginal increase of 3.7 per cent from Sh64 billion recorded in the previous year. According to the latest report from the Office of the US Trade Representative, Kenya emerged the fourth exporter under Agoa, after Nigeria (Sh310 billion), South Africa (Sh200 billion) and Angola (Sh60 billion) in Africa. “Kenya is currently our 96th largest goods trading partner with Sh110 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2019,” said the...

30 December 2020 | FRANKLINE SUNDAY

Nigeria’s duty-free export to US shrinks to $351m

Nigeria’s export to the United States under a duty-free policy declined in the first nine months of 2020, recording $351.73m from January to September. According to the latest African Growth and Opportunity Act policy trade statistics, exports to the US under the policy fell by 86.97 per cent from $2,699.13m in the first nine months of 2019 to $351.73m in the corresponding period in 2020. The AGOA, a United States’ trade policy, enacted in 2000, is a legislation that facilitates a duty-free trade between exporters from sub-Saharan...

27 December 2020 | Ife Ogunfuwa

The Democratic Republic of Congo once again to benefit from the US AGOA

After almost a decade of exclusion, the Democratic Republic of Congo will once again be able to benefit from the trade preferences offered by AGOA. This decision was made by outgoing US President Donald Trump, while the US is emerging as one of President Tshisekedi’s privileged allies. On May 19, 2020, Constance Hamilton, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, had formally written to Congolese authorities to discuss the conditions for the DRC’s reinstatement under AGOA, the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act. At the time,...

25 December 2020 | Steven Addamah

Proclamation to take certain actions under the AGOA [DR Congo] and for other purposes

1. In Proclamation 8618 of December 21, 2010, the President determined that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was not making continual progress in meeting the requirements described in section 506A(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the “Trade Act”), as added by section 111(a) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (the “AGOA”)(title I of Public Law 106–200, 114 Stat. 251, 257-58 (19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(1))). Thus, pursuant to section 506A(a)(3) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(3)), the President terminated the...

22 December 2020

Chamber plans business parks to deepen US-Nigerian trade relations

The Nigerian America Chamber of Commerce says it is planning to establish parks in states for businesses to benefit from the duty-free Africa Growth Opportunities Act of the United States government. The President, NACC, Otunba Toyin Akomolafe, during a courtesy visit to The PUNCH head office in Ogun State on Tuesday said the parks would be a platform to create awareness of the eligible products and acceptable standards by the American government. Already, he said Osun and Imo state governments had shown interest in the parks. He...

16 December 2020 | Ife Ogunfuwa

Uganda to work on increasing exports in wake of Covid-19 challenges

In the wake of COVID-19 and its devastating effects, Uganda is producing solution-based products onto market. Unlike in the past, Ugandan products have been warmly received by local consumers because of their improved quality, says NRM National Treasurer Namayanja Rose Nsereko. According to her, Ugandan scientists are in final stages of testing COVID-19 vaccines with 90% probable curing capacity. “All these innovations coupled with ambitious plans to industrialise Uganda are great strides desirous of our celebrations.” However,...

13 December 2020 | PETER SSENTI

Ghana Apparel Training Centre launched to develop garment industry

In efforts to support Ghana’s garment manufacturing industry, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, together with its partners – Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), Gerber, Groz Beckert, Freudenberg and Accra Technical Training College (ATTC), have officially launched the Ghana Apparel Training & Service Centre, in Accra. The launch forms part of a public-private partnership between the German Federal Government and Ghana’s private sector. With funding from the German Federal government, this...

27 November 2020 | Nicholas Brown

President-elect Biden's call to Ramaphosa signals hope for better trade relations with Africa

A phone call between U.S. president-elect Joe Biden and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa early last week has buoyed hopes of strengthening U.S.—Africa relations particularly now when the two continents are seized with efforts to contain the raging novel coronavirus pandemic. As part of a carousel of congratulatory phone calls with other world leaders, Biden spoke to President Ramaphosa, who is also the current chairman of the African Union (AU), about the need to strengthen ties on a number of fronts with this strategic continent...

23 November 2020 | Sifelani Tsiko

SA president to meet with US Chamber of Commerce over investment

President Cyril Ramaphosa will participate in a virtual business and investment roundtable on Tuesday (10 November) with representatives from three major business organisations from the United States. The organisations are the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), and the US Chamber of Commerce. “The president will be supported by South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, Ms Nomaindia Mfeketo, as well as South Africa’s Consuls-General in Chicago, Los Angeles and New...

10 November 2020

Opinion: 'Trump vs. Biden: This is how it could impact South African agriculture'

As the race for the White House continues, agriculture leaders say a win for Democrat Joe Biden will strengthen and fast-track trade relations between South Africa and the United States. Currently, the race between pres. Donald Trump and Biden hinges on tight races in battleground states. Trump has already falsely claimed victory while Biden called for patience and every vote to be counted. Meanwhile Mzansi’s [>South Africa<] agriculture leaders believe a second-term win for Trump will lead to a continuation of the trade war with...

05 November 2020 | Sinesipho Tom

Opinion: 'Kenya-US relations really do matter'

With the shadow of the bitterly contested American presidential elections looming over us, the past few weeks have seen much discussion on the relationship between Kenya and the US. The average American may not care much who gets to be the president of Kenya – indeed would generally have no idea of it, if there was a presidential election taking place in Kenya. But most Kenyans are very keen to see if this most unusual of American presidents – Donald Trump – will be reelected; or if he will be, in that phrase beloved of Kenyan media...

05 November 2020 | WYCLIFFE MUGA

'From AGOA to FTA - Kenya-US ties growing from strength to strength'

[Opinion] The 56-year-old United States-Kenya relationship flourishes because we trust each other, respect each other and our nations share common values. Both believe in a strong economy through an open, free marketplace allowing entrepreneurs, businesses and the private sector to thrive and create jobs. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) enhanced markets, allowing Kenyan businesses to grow. Agoa will expire in 2025 and, while helpful, it has not been transformative in driving the broad-based economic growth Kenya...

29 October 2020 | Kyle McCarter

Digital press briefing about the US government Prosper Africa initiative (incl. sound file)

Moderator: Good afternoon to everyone from the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub. [scroll to bottom for the sound recording] I would like to welcome our participants from across the continent and thank all of you for taking part in this discussion. Today we are very pleased to be joined by Victoria Whitney, Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Government’s Prosper Africa Initiative. Ms. Whitney will discuss how Prosper Africa is unlocking billions of dollars of U.S. investment...

29 October 2020

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