WASHINGTON, November 3, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has notified Congress and the governments of Rwanda and South Africa of his intention to terminate the two countries’ participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act [ AGOA ] trade preference programme, effective January 1, 2027.
The announcement was made on November 2, by US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, who said the decision followed the annual review of Sub-Saharan African countries’ eligibility for AGOA benefits.
Greer said the review found that Rwanda and South Africa were engaging in practices that were inconsistent with the programme’s eligibility requirements.
“The governments of Rwanda and South Africa are engaging in practices that are inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility criteria,” Greer said in a statement.
He cited barriers to US trade and investment, as well as practices that the Trump administration considers threats to US national security and foreign policy interests in the region.
“The Trump Administration is working to ensure our African partners take the necessary steps to meet the eligibility criteria,” he added.
According to the statement, the US has raised concerns about Rwanda’s trade and investment barriers, rule of law, political pluralism, internationally recognised workers’ rights and human rights, as well as issues relating to US national security and foreign policy interests.
In South Africa, the concerns include barriers to US trade and investment, corruption, and what the administration considers threats to US national security and foreign policy interests.
If implemented, the proposed termination would take effect on January 1, 2027, ending the two countries’ access to preferential trade arrangements under AGOA.
Subject to applicable rules of origin and other conditions, AGOA provides eligible Sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market for thousands of products. The programme is intended to promote trade, investment and economic development across the continent.
According to the 2026 eligibility designation, 33 Sub-Saharan African countries qualify for AGOA benefits.
Products exported to the United States under AGOA include agricultural, manufactured and natural-resource products. Key agricultural and food exports include coffee, cocoa and cocoa products, tea, spices, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, vegetables, fruit juices, cut flowers, cassava, and selected meat and animal products.
The programme also provides preferential access for textiles and apparel, including garments, T-shirts, shirts, trousers, uniforms and other textile products. Other eligible products include footwear, leather goods, jewellery, luggage, plastics, household products and selected manufactured goods.
Total US imports under AGOA and the Generalised System of Preferences [GSP] amounted to approximately US$ 9.7 billion in a recent annual reporting cycle, including about US$ 4.2bln in crude oil and US$ 5.5bln in non-oil goods such as apparel and agricultural products.
South Africa has been one of the largest beneficiaries of AGOA. In 2025, the country exported goods worth about US$ 1.7bln [€1.5bln] to the US under the programme, including car parts, citrus fruit and wine.
South Africa’s Trade Ministry said last week that it was prepared for the decision, noting that AGOA exports account for about 10 percent of the country’s total exports to the US and about 1 percent of its total global exports.
The US has also been putting economic pressure on Rwanda over allegations that it supports the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC].
Washington last week sanctioned Rwanda’s Defence Ministry, which denies having ties to M23, along with several individuals, institutions and a gold refinery.
Rwanda’s major exports to the US include coffee and minerals.
The latest move follows previous US decisions to suspend or terminate AGOA benefits for African countries over concerns relating to governance, human rights and constitutional rule.
Uganda, Gabon, Niger and the Central African Republic [CAR] were removed from the AGOA eligibility list on January 1, 2024. Niger and Gabon lost their eligibility following unconstitutional changes of government, while Uganda and CAR were removed over human rights concerns.
Other countries, including The Gambia, Eswatini and South Sudan, have also faced the revocation of AGOA benefits in previous years over governance and rule-of-law concerns. Some countries, including Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, have subsequently had their eligibility restored.
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