In a recent feature by Oliver Ward on Agri-Pulse, Rosa Whitaker, President and CEO of The Whitaker Group, discussed the importance of renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) following its expiration at the end of September.

As one of the architects of AGOA and a former U.S. Assistant Trade Representative for Africa, Rosa highlighted that the program has been vital for supporting African exporters and U.S. industries alike. “If you look at the imports, they are areas where the U.S. really can’t or doesn’t produce,” she noted, emphasizing how AGOA benefited both sides through duty-free trade in sectors like agriculture, textiles, and manufacturing.

Rosa warned that the program’s lapse is already creating challenges for African exporters, who now face rising tariffs on key products such as cocoa, coffee, wine, and textiles. She highlighted that a U.S. withdrawal could not only hurt African economies but also erode U.S. competitiveness—especially as China deepens its trade partnerships across the continent. “We are losing ground to China in so many ways,” she said.

As co-chair of the AGOA Alliance, Rosa Whitaker continues to advocate for a renewed and strengthened framework. She supports a one-year extension of AGOA to allow time for lawmakers to modernize the program while maintaining its benefits for both Africa and the United States.

Read the article here: Agri-Pulse