The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act: Opening Doors for U.S.-Africa Economic Relations

In 2000, President William J. Clinton signed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), with the goal of opening trade markets and investment between the United States and Africa. Since its implementation, AGOA has increased investment and trade between the two continents, and led to job creation in Africa. The act has also played a critical role for economic growth in many African countries. However, AGOA’s potential expiration in 2015 has many concerned about the future of trade between the U.S. and Africa if the act is not renewed. In June, Zambia will host the tenth annual AGOA Forum to continue the dialogue between the U.S. and African countries on the effectiveness of AGOA and future opportunities for shared growth and trade.

On April 15, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings and the Corporate Council on Africa hosted a discussion of the future of AGOA. Panelists discussed whether AGOA alone is enough to promote U.S.-Africa trade and the critical role that nongovernmental stakeholders play in ensuring its success.

After each panel, the panelists took audience questions.