The United States plans to terminate duty-free access for South Africa and Rwanda under the African Growth and Opportunity Act on 1 January 2027. Washington pointed to trade and investment barriers, alongside foreign policy and national security issues, as the core reasons for the decision. In South Africa, officials cited persistent corruption, whereas Rwanda faced scrutiny over human rights, rule of law, and workers' rights. The action against Kigali also follows recent US Treasury sanctions targeting Rwanda's defence ministry over its alleged support for M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Key points
Bilateral relations with South Africa deteriorated further following previous disputes re…: Bilateral relations with South Africa deteriorated further following previous disputes regarding corruption and White House claims of white genocide.
Rwanda faces exclusion due to official concerns involving political pluralism, human righ…: Rwanda faces exclusion due to official concerns involving political pluralism, human rights, and military interference in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The administration stated it is collaborating with African partners to help them take the…: The administration stated it is collaborating with African partners to help them take the steps necessary to meet trade criteria.
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- Published
US President Donald Trump has notified Congress of his intention to remove South Africa and Rwanda from a preferential trade programme, from 1 January 2027.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) allows eligible African countries to export thousands of products to the US duty-free.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement that an annual review had found that both countries were engaging in practices inconsistent with the programme's eligibility requirements.
He added that the Trump administration had additionally notified the two countries of the decision.
The Trump administration cited barriers to US trade and investment, as well as concerns over national security and foreign policy interests in the region.
In Rwanda's case, Washington also raised concerns about human rights, political pluralism, the rule of law and workers' rights.
The move comes barely a week after Rwanda's defence ministry was hit with sanctions by US Treasury for its alleged role in the armed rebellion in eastern DR Congo.
The US Treasury said Rwanda's defence ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 rebels in eastern…
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