Ndubuisi Francis in AbujaThe Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and some members of the United States Congress have expressed excitement as President Donald Trump signed the bill for a two-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), after the enabling law elapsed on September 30, 2025.
Nigeria is among the 32 African beneficiaries of AGOA, which was established in 2000 to provide countries across Africa with duty-free access to the American market, promoting economic growth in Africa and boosting trade between the US and the continent.Okonjo-Iweala conveyed her delight at the development via a post on X (formerly Twitter).She said: “Great to learn that the USA has granted a two-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extending trade preferences to qualifying African countries.
“Hope this will help stimulate mutually beneficial and greater Africa-USA trade! Thanks to Congress, the Administration, and the numerous individuals and organisations that worked hard to make this happen.“Credit also to the African Union @_AfricanUnion and African leaders for patience and persistence on this issue,” she added.The US House of Representatives passed a bill in January this year to renew the preferential trade programme for some African countries through 2028, approving the extension by a vote of 340 to 54.
