The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been a cornerstone of US economic policy and engagement with Africa since its creation in 2000. However, not all African countries are eligible for its trade benefits. Currently, 17 African nations are ineligible for AGOA benefits, including Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon. These countries do not meet the rigorous eligibility requirements set by the US, which include progress toward a market-based economy, the rule of law, political pluralism, and ensuring due process.

AGOA offers eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for over 1,800 products, in addition to more than 5,000 products that qualify for duty-free access under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. The program has helped open new market opportunities, boosting economic growth, encouraging reform, and strengthening US economic ties with Africa. In 2024, 32 countries were eligible for AGOA benefits, and the program was extended through 2025 by legislation passed in 2015.

The 17 African countries that do not qualify for AGOA benefits include Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Central African Republic, Sudan, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Guinea, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Somalia, Niger, South Sudan, and Mali. Some of these countries, like Uganda and the Central African Republic, faced expulsion from the program due to serious human rights violations. Others, like Equatorial Guinea and Seychelles, graduated from GSP, making them ineligible for AGOA benefits.

The trade data between the US and these 17 countries reveals significant variations. For instance, in 2024, total goods trade between the US and Burundi reached $10.4 million, with the US recording a $2.9 million trade surplus. In contrast, the US trade deficit with Gabon stood at $0.6 million, a sharp 100.6% increase from the previous year. The trade data highlights the complexities of the economic relationships between the US and these African countries.

The ineligibility of these 17 countries for AGOA benefits has significant implications for their economic development and trade relationships with the US. The AGOA program has been instrumental in promoting economic growth and reform in Africa, and the exclusion of these countries from the program may hinder their ability to benefit from duty-free access to the US market.

However, it is essential to note that the AGOA program is not the only mechanism for promoting economic growth and development in Africa. The US has other trade programs and initiatives that can provide benefits to these countries. Moreover, the African countries themselves can take steps to improve their economic governance, human rights records, and business environments to become eligible for AGOA benefits in the future.

In conclusion, the ineligibility of 17 African countries for AGOA benefits is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of the economic, political, and social factors at play. While the AGOA program has been instrumental in promoting economic growth and development in Africa, its exclusion of these countries highlights the need for more comprehensive and inclusive approaches to promoting economic development in the region.