Middle East & Africa | AGOA and out

America suspends duty-free access to four African countries

Trade officials are meeting to discuss America’s approach to the continent

Kenyan workers prepare clothes for export at the United Aryan EPZ factory in Ruaraka district of Nairobi.
Image: Reuters

In the eyes of American officials, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is about “more than just trade”. The flagship policy grants duty-free access to America for almost 7,000 products from sub-Saharan Africa. To qualify, countries must respect human rights, uphold labour standards, promote a market-based economy and eliminate barriers to American investment, among other criteria.

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This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Preferential trade”

From the November 4th 2023 edition

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