Madar (International) - US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday, November 2, 2026, that Washington would exclude South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential duty-free access to the US market, AFP reported via Africanews.
Greer cited practices "inconsistent" with the programme's eligibility criteria. "These concerning and pervasive practices include, but are not limited to, barriers that undermine American trade and investment and practices that pose a threat to US national security and foreign policy interests in the region," he said in a statement. The exclusions take effect from January 1.
AGOA has been renewed until the end of 2028 but is reviewed annually, and any removal requires 60 days' notice to Congress and the country concerned.
South Africa is the programme's largest beneficiary, but its eligibility has come under scrutiny as Washington steps up criticism of Pretoria, including allegations of discrimination against white Afrikaners that South Africa rejects. A little over a week earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country should "prepare" for an adverse decision, while Trade Minister Parks Tau said last week the economy would remain stable regardless, as it seeks other markets.
Rwanda faces growing US economic pressure over its alleged backing of the M23 armed group in eastern DR Congo, which Kigali denies; last week Washington sanctioned the Rwandan defence ministry. Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told AFP on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow that the situation in Congo was "mainly a Congolese issue" and that Rwanda "must not be held as a scapegoat" forever.
