Capitol Hill Sees Lobbying Blitz in Push to Get AGOA Extended

After a long lull, the process for the reauthorization of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (#AGOA) appears to have been set in motion by the House Ways and Means Committee as part of an ongoing lobbying blitz.

On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the AGOA Alliance, a group of American and African businesses in favor of AGOA, sent a letter to several Congress members, including John Thune, Charles Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Speaker Mike Johnson.

On the same day, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer gave a testimony too the Senate Appropriations Committee on AGOA and the US Foreign Trade.

Then, on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the House Ways and Means Committee convened a hearing under the chairship of Jason Smith to survey perspectives on the implications of AGOA. The last AGOA expired at the end of September 2025; the new #AGOA is set to become effective retroactively for another three years with an expiry on 31 December 2028.

On the same day, USTR Jamieson Greer was invited by the Atlantic Council to talk about the trade policy of the Trump’s Administration. Greer indicated that AGOA might go forward and motivated Trump’s #tariffs as part of the #AmericaFirst policy.

“AGOA is not charity — it is strategic economic policy. Its continuation protects American jobs, sustains African livelihoods, and strengthens US influence in a critical region.”

AGOA Alliance Co-Chair Rosa Whitaker

Over the past few years, the AGOA Alliance has engaged with the US Executive and Legislative branches, African Heads of State and Governments, the African Union, and other influential leaders in the US and Africa. Recently, the AGOA Alliance stepped up its lobbying efforts by launching the ‘Continue AGOA’ initiative with the participation of African ambassadors in DC, US policymakers, and business leaders.

The African Union (AU) has also set up its own Sub-Committee on AGOA with members made up of African diplomats in DC. Kenyan Ambassador David Kerich and Malagasy Ambassador Solo Rakotomalala are co-chairs of this #AU Sub-Committee since both countries have substantial stakes in AGOA, especially in the textile and apparel sector.

The auto industry in South Africa was another top beneficiary of AGOA. However, due to deteriorating relations, the USA is contemplating removing South Africa from the list of eligible countries. President Trump has also indicated that he does not intend to invite South Africa to the #G20 Summit during the US chairship in 2026.

“AGOA has created a framework for mutually beneficial growth between the U.S. and Africa for over two decades. Beyond trade, it has delivered security gains, strengthened strategic partnerships, and reinforced America’s influence. Congress must act now to ensure continuity and modernize this essential trade relationship.”

AGOA Alliance Co-Chair Chris Stewart

Several African Presidents were in Washington DC to attend the Signing Ceremony of the Peace Deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Some of them took the opportunity to book face-to-face meetings with relevant lawmakers to make their case for an extension of AGOA. In particular, Kenyan William Ruto had a meeting with USTR Jamieson Greer on 5 December 2025. Ruto underlined how the AGOA is key for the textile & apparel and leather & footwear, agricultural produce, and pharmaceutical industries for Kenya and Africa.

On Wednesday, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is also hosting an AGOA Leaders Breakfast Roundtable. On Thursday, African ambassadors and business leaders will meet on Capitol Hill with key members of the Ways and Means Committee as well as the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees. The Congressional Black Caucus will also host a working lunch.

Then, on Friday, the AGOA Alliance has invited senior officials from the Trump administration to participate in a breakfast discussion on AGOA at the International Trade Center at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown DC.

At the end of the hearing, the House Ways and Means Committee voted 37-3 in favor of the reauthorization #AGOA. Next, the bill will be considered by the House and Senate, before approval by the President.