US moves to remove South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA trade scheme

The United States intends to remove South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a preferential trade programme that has allowed eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export thousands of products to the US without duties. The proposed termination is due to take effect in January 2027, according to reports by DW and BBC News. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said President Donald Trump intended to terminate the two countries’ participation after an annual review.

Greer said both governments were engaging in practices inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility requirements, including barriers affecting US trade and investment and conduct posing a threat to American national security or foreign-policy interests in the region. The formal statement cited by DW did not give specific examples of the alleged trade barriers or security concerns. The BBC reported that the administration also referred to human rights, political pluralism, rule-of-law and workers’ rights concerns in Rwanda’s case, and additionally pointed to corruption in relation to South Africa.

The decision comes as Washington’s relations with both countries remain strained. The US Treasury sanctioned Rwanda’s defence ministry and other targets the previous week over alleged support for the M23 rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda denies ties to M23, while the BBC said the Treasury had accused its defence ministry of directing troops and providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training to the group.

AGOA was introduced in 2000 under President Bill Clinton and has become a central part of US economic engagement with Africa. The scheme covers more than 1,800 products and requires participating countries to maintain conditions including an open market economy, respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and labour protections. South Africa has been the programme’s largest beneficiary.

DW reported that its AGOA exports to the US were worth $1.7 billion in 2025, including car parts, citrus fruit and wine. South Africa’s Trade Ministry said AGOA exports represented about 10% of the country’s total exports to the US and 1% of its exports worldwide, while stressing that the programme remained important. The South African government said the US was still an important trading partner and that it would support affected sectors.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said the country should prepare for exclusion by seeking new markets and agreements, including with China. The country’s citrus industry warned that the decision put its value chain on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as jobs and the economic security of communities, at risk. Rwandan exports to the US include coffee and minerals.

Greer said the administration was working to ensure African partners took the steps required to meet AGOA criteria. The reports establish the intended removal and the US rationale, but do not describe a detailed appeal process or identify the specific South African and Rwandan measures that triggered the review.