Short AGOA Extension Is Bad for Africa, Bad for the Middle Class, and a Gift to Beijing

Africa is the fastest growing continent with the youngest population—critical resources in a world with an aging population and slowing growth. When the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was first enacted in 2000, it provided for duty-free access for most sub-Saharan exports to the United States for 15 years. It was extended in 2015 for 10 years, and after a brief lapse, AGOA was renewed in February 2026[1] for 11 months through the end of the year.

This short-termism hurts American workers and families relying on trade with Africa, hurts African workers, is a blow to our relationship with a continent growing in importance, and is a gift to China, which is making the continent a priority.

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