AAFA supports proposal to extend African Growth and Opportunity Act
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has made a statement in support of renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
AGOA provides duty-free access to the US market for products, including apparel and footwear, manufactured in around 30 eligible African countries. It first came into force in 2000, initially for 15 years. In 2015, it was extended for a further 10 years.
Ahead of its expiry in September 2025, US senators have now proposed a further renewal of the act and improvements to the way it works.
The proposal is to extend AGOA by a further 16 years. AAFA has said it supports this because a long-term extension would provide businesses with the certainty required to invest in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting economic growth and development in the region.
“As companies work to diversify out of China, immediate and long-term renewal of AGOA for a 16-year period would be incredibly impactful and timely,” said AAFA chief executive, Steve Lamar. “AGOA renewal would bring quality work opportunities for African workers, many of whom are women, as companies commit to retain or grow orders from African factories as vital partners in their sourcing matrices.”
