Ambassador Katherine Tai, the United States Trade Representative, has announced that she will host the 21st African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum from July 24 to 26, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
This event will bring together key stakeholders from the United States and sub-Saharan Africa to discuss the future of AGOA and its role in fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
AGOA Forum 2024 Theme and Objectives
The theme for this year’s AGOA Forum is “Beyond 2025: Reimagining AGOA for an Inclusive, Sustainable, and Prosperous Tomorrow.”
The forum aims to explore strategies to enhance the effectiveness of AGOA, address contemporary challenges, and deliver tangible benefits to people across the African continent. Ambassador Tai emphasized the importance of this event, stating, “AGOA has been the cornerstone of our economic partnership with sub-Saharan Africa for over twenty years.
This Forum is an opportunity to discuss how we can make the program more effective, to address today’s challenges and deliver real benefits to more people across the continent.”
Key Events and Participants
The AGOA Forum will feature a comprehensive program, including a Civil Society and Organized Labor Forum and a Private Sector Forum on July 24.
The Ministerial program on July 25 and 26 will include plenary sessions and breakout sessions focusing on the present and future of AGOA and U.S.–Africa trade and investment cooperation.
The forum will gather representatives from the governments of the United States and AGOA-eligible countries, regional economic organizations, civil society, labor groups, and the private sector.
Background on AGOA
Since its enactment in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been a pivotal element of U.S. economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa. AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products, in addition to the more than 5,000 products eligible under the Generalized System of Preferences program.
To qualify for AGOA benefits, countries must demonstrate progress in establishing a market-based economy, upholding the rule of law, political pluralism, eliminating trade barriers, reducing poverty, combating corruption, and protecting internationally recognized worker rights.
AGOA has played a crucial role in bolstering economic growth, promoting reforms, and strengthening U.S. economic relations with sub-Saharan Africa. As the program approaches its 25th year, the 2024 AGOA Forum will be a vital platform for reimagining its future and ensuring it continues to drive transformative and inclusive economic development.
