What changed
The United States has notified Congress that it intends to remove South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, effective 1 January 2027.
The programme currently allows eligible African countries to export thousands of products to the US duty-free. US officials said an annual review found both countries had fallen short of its requirements.
Why it matters
This would put preferential access to the US market on a 2027 countdown. The exact products, exporters and trade flows affected are not yet clear, but the proposed change threatens a trade arrangement that currently removes duties on thousands of African exports.
Washington cited barriers to US trade and investment, national-security and foreign-policy interests. South Africa was also criticised over corruption. Rwanda faced additional concerns over human rights, political pluralism, the rule of law and workers’ rights.
The timing makes Rwanda’s position especially exposed. The US Treasury recently sanctioned Rwanda’s defence ministry over alleged support for M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, including claims that it directed troops and provided weapons, equipment, logistics and training.
For both governments, the next question is whether the decision changes before 1 January 2027. Congress or the administration could still alter the outcome, and it is not known whether South Africa or Rwanda will change the policies Washington has cited.
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