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2h ago

AGOA Faces Sept. 30 Expiry as Lesotho Cites U.S. Plan for One-Year Extension

Uncertainty over renewal threatens higher tariffs for African exporters.

A container ship is unloaded at the Port of Los Angeles, in San Pedro, California, U.S., May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
William Ruto, President of Kenya, speaks during an interview with Reuters at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, U.S., September 24, 2025. REUTERS/Bing Guan
William Ruto, President of Kenya, speaks during an interview with Reuters at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, U.S., September 24, 2025. REUTERS/Bing Guan
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Overview

  • Lesotho’s trade minister said U.S. officials told him a one-year extension would be enacted by November or December after meetings with House Ways and Means and Senate Finance staff.
  • The White House has not confirmed any extension, and a Senate Finance Democrat said the administration has not briefed committee Democrats on its position.
  • Kenya’s President William Ruto said he expects to sign a bilateral trade deal with the United States by year-end and will press for at least a five-year AGOA renewal.
  • AllAfrica’s analysis warns a last-minute extension is unlikely, noting a short renewal would not restart long-lead apparel orders and that some textile tariffs could climb from about 10% to 43% without AGOA.
  • AGOA provides duty- and quota-free access to the U.S. for over 6,000 products from 32 countries, has supported more than $100 billion in non-crude exports, and its future has been complicated by new U.S. tariffs that hit African exporters, including Lesotho’s levy being cut from 50% to 15%.