The importance of the Agoa Forum for sub-Saharan African countries in their trade relationship with the United States
The Agoa Forum (African Growth and Opportunity Act), which was held recently in South Africa, was an opportunity for the 35 eligible countries to discuss free trade agreements with the United States and to share their wishes for the future.
Since its creation in 2000, AGOA has offered sub-Saharan African countries the opportunity to benefit from customs advantages on certain products exported to the United States. However, these agreements expire in 2025, which has raised concerns about their renewal.
Participating countries made their voices heard during the forum by calling for a rapid extension of AGOA and a reform of eligibility criteria considered too strict. Indeed, to benefit from customs advantages, countries must respect criteria such as democracy and human rights. Some believe that these criteria should be relaxed in order to promote economic development.
Ivory Coast, for example, sees AGOA as an opportunity to boost its textile industry, which plays an important role in its economy. The investors with whom the country is in discussions consider the American market as an essential outlet for their exports.
However, some countries believe that the combination of trade and politics can be an obstacle to development. Marie-Hélène Mathey Boo, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s ambassador to Washington, says the trade deal should be decoupled from political considerations to promote industrialization and economic development.
The American administration present at the forum listened to these demands, but it is the American Congress which will have the last word on the renewal of the agreements. Unfortunately, no members of Congress made the trip to attend the forum, which raises questions about their commitment to the African continent.
In conclusion, the Agoa Forum allowed sub-Saharan African countries to assert their interests and request an extension of Agoa. It remains to be hoped that their demands will be heard and that efforts will be made to reform the eligibility criteria, in order to promote real economic development in the region. The results of this forum therefore remain to be followed closely to see the evolution of trade relations between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.