Lesotho Secures U.S. Commitment to Extend AGOA for One Year Amid Tariff Pressures

Lesotho’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Mokhethi Shelile, announced that the United States plans to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by one year, offering crucial relief for African nations struggling under recent tariff hikes. The announcement followed a trade delegation’s visit to Washington from September 15–19, where officials met with members of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.

AGOA, which provides preferential access for African exports to U.S. markets, has been vital for Lesotho’s textile-driven economy. However, its future came under threat after U.S. President Donald Trump introduced sweeping global tariffs on April 4, measures that severely impacted African countries. Lesotho was initially burdened with a devastating 50% tariff, the highest worldwide, crippling its export-led development model. The tariff, later reduced to 15% in August, had already taken a toll on jobs and production, especially in garment factories supplying jeans and T-shirts to the U.S.

Minister Shelile emphasized the significance of the extension, noting that U.S. lawmakers across both committees recognized AGOA’s importance and promised action by November or December. “We will be monitoring closely to ensure the extension comes into force as promised, because if it doesn’t, we risk losing more jobs,” Shelile cautioned during a press briefing.

The extension decision comes at a critical time, as millions of livelihoods across Africa depend on AGOA’s trade incentives. While a White House spokesperson has yet to comment, support remains strong among U.S. lawmakers. Senator Ron Wyden, a ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, reaffirmed his commitment to AGOA, although he noted that the Trump administration has not formally briefed Democrats on its position.

For Lesotho, even a temporary reprieve could mean stability for thousands of workers and continued economic reliance on the U.S. market, underscoring AGOA’s central role in Africa’s trade future.