CCA Statement on the Renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
September 4, 2026
Statement from Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) on Renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) welcomes the overwhelming bipartisan action by the United States Congress to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through December 31, 2028. The United States Senate voted 90–6, followed by a 370–48 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, demonstrating once again the strong bipartisan recognition of AGOA's importance to the U.S.-Africa economic relationship. On September 2, 2026, President Trump signed the legislation into law, formally extending AGOA through the end of 2028.
This extension provides an important measure of certainty for businesses, investors, workers, and governments across the United States and Africa. AGOA has delivered two-way benefits since its inception, supporting American companies, workers, and consumers while advancing economic growth and diversification across Africa. At a time when the global economic and geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, AGOA remains a cornerstone of the U.S.-Africa trade and investment relationship and an essential tool for strengthening commercial ties between the two regions.
For more than two decades, CCA and many of its member companies have been strong and consistent advocates for AGOA and its long-term renewal. Throughout the program's history, CCA has organized the AGOA private sector forums to ensure that the business community's voice remains central to discussions surrounding the future of U.S.-Africa trade policy. In recent months, CCA has intensified its advocacy and engagement around AGOA's renewal, including briefing the African Union and members of the African diplomatic corps, meeting with African Ministers of Trade, consulting with key U.S. Government officials in the Administration, and engaging Members of Congress and congressional staff across party lines.
While this two-year extension is an important and welcome step, CCA will continue to advocate for a longer-term renewal and modernization of AGOA, specifically, a reauthorization of at least 10 years to provide the certainty businesses need to make long-term investment decisions, build supply chains, create jobs, and expand commercial relationships across the continent.
CCA also believes this moment presents an important opportunity to continue developing a broader vision for U.S.-Africa economic engagement beyond AGOA. This includes expanding cooperation in areas such as services trade, the digital economy, infrastructure, health, critical minerals, energy, and manufacturing - sectors that will shape the future of the U.S.-Africa commercial relationship.
We commend the bipartisan leadership in Congress that made this extension possible and thank the many Members of Congress, Administration officials, African governments, diplomatic representatives, private sector leaders, and civil society partners whose sustained advocacy helped secure this outcome. As AGOA moves toward the President's desk, CCA looks forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders to ensure that this program and the broader U.S.-Africa economic relationship continues to evolve to meet the opportunities and potential of U.S.-Africa economic partnership.
