Trump Administration Set to Exclude South Africa and Rwanda from AGOA Trade Program

The Trump administration has announced plans to remove South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preference program, a move that will take effect on January 1, 2027 ¹²³⁴. This decision represents a notable departure from previous U.S. trade policies, which have historically favored these two countries as major beneficiaries of AGOA.

South Africa, the largest recipient of AGOA benefits, exported goods worth $1.7 billion to the United States in 2025, accounting for approximately 10% of its total exports to the U.S. and just 1% of its global exports ²⁴. The U.S. cited several reasons for South Africa's exclusion, including trade barriers, corruption, and national security concerns ⁴.

Rwanda, on the other hand, saw its defense ministry sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury due to its involvement in the armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, adding to the list of factors influencing the decision to exclude it from AGOA ¹. The U.S. also highlighted issues related to trade barriers, rule of law, and human rights as significant concerns for Rwanda ⁴.

Rwanda's main exports to the U.S. include coffee, tea, and minerals, while South Africa's AGOA exports consist primarily of motor vehicles, parts, farm products, and wine ⁴.

What we know

• South Africa and Rwanda will be removed from the AGOA trade preference program ¹²³⁴
• The removal will take effect starting January 1, 2027 ¹²⁴
• South Africa was the largest beneficiary of AGOA, exporting $1.7 billion worth of goods to the U.S. in 2025 ²⁴
• South Africa's exports to the U.S. under AGOA represent about 10% of its total exports to the U.S. and 1% of its total global exports ²⁴
• Rwanda's defense ministry was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for its involvement in the armed conflict in eastern DR Congo ¹
• South Africa was criticized for corruption ¹
• The U.S. cited trade barriers, rule of law, and human rights as concerns for Rwanda ⁴
• For South Africa, the U.S. expressed concern over trade barriers, corruption, and national security issues ⁴
• Rwanda's main exports to the U.S. include coffee, tea, and minerals ⁴
• South Africa's exports under AGOA consist mainly of motor vehicles, parts, farm products, and wine ⁴