The United States plans to remove South Africa and Rwanda from its African Growth and Opportunity Act trade preferences on January 1, 2027. Washington cites failures to meet eligibility criteria. South Africa, the programme’s largest beneficiary, exported about 1.7 billion dollars of goods under the scheme in 2025 and had already prepared for an adverse decision.
The United States plans to end South Africa and Rwanda’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the US programme granting preferential trade access to eligible African countries. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on November 2 that President Donald Trump had notified Congress and both governments of the intended removal from January 1, 2027.[1], [2]
Washington reviews eligibility annually. Greer said both governments were engaging in practices inconsistent with the programme’s conditions. For Rwanda, the administration cited trade barriers, the rule of law and human rights. For South Africa, it named trade and investment barriers, corruption and threats to US national-security and foreign-policy interests. These are the administration’s stated grounds; neither government immediately responded.[1]
South Africa, the largest beneficiary, exported about 1.7 billion dollars of goods under the programme in 2025, mainly vehicles and parts, farm products and wine. Its trade department had said it was prepared for a negative decision and remained open to dialogue. The department put AGOA exports at about 10 per cent of exports to the US and 1 per cent of worldwide exports. President Cyril Ramaphosa had spoken of seeking new markets and trade deals, including with China.[1]
