The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a United States trade act that enhances market access to the U.S. for qualifying sub-Saharan African countries. AGOA was signed into law on May 18, 2000, and has been renewed several times since then. The most recent renewal, AGOA IV, was signed into law on June 12, 2015, and is set to expire on September 30, 2025.
In order to be eligible for AGOA benefits, countries must meet certain criteria, including respecting human rights, establishing a market-based economy, and not engaging in gross violations of internationally recognized worker rights. Countries that meet these criteria are granted duty-free access to the U.S. market for a wide range of products.
