LAGOS, Jan 14 – The United States House of Representatives has approved a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, preserving duty-free access to U.S. markets for more than 30 sub-Saharan African countries while reopening debate over South Africa’s eligibility.
The bill passed on Monday by a wide margin, with 340 lawmakers voting in favour and 54 against. It now moves to the U.S. Senate for further consideration, where eligibility reviews are expected to take center stage.
AGOA has long served as a cornerstone of U.S.–Africa trade relations, offering qualifying African economies preferential access to the world’s largest consumer market. While most beneficiary countries are expected to retain their status, South Africa’s position appears increasingly fragile.
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated in recent years, with U.S. officials raising concerns over South Africa’s foreign policy alignment. Lawmakers cited Pretoria’s participation in naval exercises alongside China, Russia, and Iran as evidence of strategic drift away from the United States.
Tensions were further inflamed by allegations from the Trump administration accusing South Africa of persecuting white citizens, claims that Pretoria has rejected. Although South Africa reportedly asked Iran to withdraw from the naval drills ahead of the AGOA vote, lawmakers indicated that the move may have come too late to shift sentiment in Congress.
As one of AGOA’s largest beneficiaries, South Africa stands to lose significantly if excluded. The programme supports key export sectors including automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and industrial goods, and plays a critical role in sustaining jobs and foreign exchange earnings.
Senate deliberations are expected to be pivotal. Senator Jim Risch, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described South Africa as an adversary of the United States, signaling a hardening stance that could complicate Pretoria’s continued participation in the trade scheme.
The outcome of the Senate process will determine whether AGOA’s extension preserves the status quo or reshapes U.S.–Africa trade relations along sharper geopolitical lines.
