The US Ways and Means Committee has adopted a bill that would extend Washington’s preferential trade policy for Africa for a further three years. President William Ruto shares a light moment with President Donald Trump (r). The committee’s chairman, Jason Smith, said the new deal will be valid until December 31, 2028. In a statement, Smith explained that the extension gives businesses enough time to decide where to source, promoting supply chains in Africa, and gives Congress time to collaborate with the Trump Administration on improvements as part of a long-term AGOA renewal.
“The AGOA Extension Act renews AGOA for three years, until December 31, 2028. This provides much-needed certainty to US companies that source products from Sub-Saharan Africa. A three-year renewal allows ample time for companies to make sourcing decisions, fostering supply chains within Africa, and allowing time for Congress to work with the Trump Administration on reforms as part of a long-term AGOA renewal,” he stated. Hundreds of thousands of jobs in Africa are dependent on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was first passed in 2000 to give qualified sub-Saharan nations and goods duty-free access to the US market. The Act expired in September 2025. The AGOA Extension Act was passed by the US House Committee on Ways and Means by a vote of 37-3. “This is a bill to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purposes.”
The committee described the trade programme as the cornerstone of economic relations between the US and sub-Saharan African nations. “Since 2000, the programme has fostered increased trade and investment within Africa while raising standards by promoting fair treatment for US companies and farmers, human rights, anti-corruption efforts, and democracy,” the statement added. AGOA has created thousands of jobs in Kenya. Which African country was excluded? However, The East African reported that the US Trade Representative Jamie-son Greer stated that South Africa was excluded due to what he called a “unique problem.” Even though ties with the US have deteriorated significantly during President Donald Trump’s second term in office, South Africa’s Trade Ministry said it was making every effort to guarantee the nation was included in any AGOA extension. Greer insisted that for the US to remove the 30% tariff it imposed on South African goods in August 2025, the country must lower tariffs and non-tariff obstacles on US commodities. Trump has criticised the rainbow nation for its alleged racial inequality laws. Which deal did Ruto sign in the US?
In other news, Kenya inked a multi-billion-shilling health cooperation framework with the US. The deal was vehemently defended by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale following concerns raised by netizens. According to Duale, the collaboration is legal, strictly protected, and intended to improve Kenya’s health system without jeopardising the personal data of Kenyan citizens.
By Japhet Ruto
