Ghana Says One-Year AGOA Extension Will Shield Jobs, Support Exports to U.S.
Ghana has welcomed a one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, saying the move will help protect jobs and stabilise exports to the United States amid rising trade pressures.
The country’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the extension provides critical short-term relief for exporters affected by recent U.S. tariff measures, particularly in labour-intensive sectors.
“The extension of AGOA will safeguard thousands of Ghanaian jobs, especially in garments, agro-processing, cocoa derivatives and light manufacturing,” Ofosu-Adjare said. “It also reinforces Ghana’s position as a reliable trading partner in the U.S. market.”
The extension, signed by the U.S. administration on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, comes as Ghanaian exporters adjust to higher trade costs following Washington’s introduction of a 10 percent universal tariff on imports in April 2025, followed by an additional 15 percent tariff on Ghanaian goods in August.
Those measures raised concerns about the competitiveness of Ghanaian exports and the potential impact on investment and employment, prompting diplomatic and technical engagements between Accra and Washington to preserve market access.
AGOA grants eligible African countries duty-free and quota-free access to the U.S. market for a broad range of products. Ghana remains a beneficiary, with a significant share of its exports to the U.S. entering under the scheme.
The trade ministry said the extension would help stabilise export-oriented industries while giving businesses time to adjust and plan under more predictable trade conditions.
As part of its response, the ministry has held engagements with exporters and industry stakeholders to reassure them of government support and encourage continued participation in the U.S. market.
“Despite the challenges, our exporters have shown remarkable resilience,” Ofosu-Adjare said, urging firms to take advantage of government support programmes to deepen their presence in the U.S.
She cited the Accelerated Export Development Programme as a key tool to help exporters improve competitiveness, diversify product offerings and increase Ghana’s utilisation of AGOA preferences.
AGOA, enacted in 2000, is a non-reciprocal trade programme that allows eligible African countries preferential access to the U.S. market without requiring equivalent concessions. It currently applies to 32 African countries.
The minister also acknowledged the role of Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Trade Organization and other West African countries in supporting efforts to secure the extension.
While the one-year reprieve provides near-term relief, the ministry said Ghana will continue to pursue longer-term trade arrangements aimed at protecting exports, jobs and national economic interests.
