By Nomfanelo Maziya | 2025-03-10

The Kingdom of Eswatini has announced its continued eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) preferences for the 2025 calendar year, during this uncertain time of evolving U.S. trade policies.

This announcement follows official confirmation from the United States Embassy dated March 5.

Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade expressed its gratitude to the U.S. government and the U.S. Embassy in Eswatini for their ongoing support, particularly in assisting the AGOA Working Group to maintain the nation's eligibility.

"AGOA has benefited the country tremendously over the years and the re-confirmation provides certainty to the companies that are already exporting to the U.S., since they can continue to process orders for the near future, without disruptions," reads the official release from the Ministry.

The continued access to the U.S. market is expected to boost Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as it offers guaranteed market access for the country’s exports.

This development is seen as a crucial step towards increasing productivity, strengthening value chains, promoting value-addition, and creating employment opportunities, according to the ministry.

It thereafter highlighted the potential of AGOA to complement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Eswatini's Programme of Action.

"It is anticipated that AGOA will complement the implementation of the AfCFTA and industrialisation efforts in the African continent, with the rules of origin allowing sourcing of inputs from other eligible African countries and exporting finished products into the U.S.," the statement explained.

This framework is expected to benefit Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including those owned by women and youth, by facilitating their participation in regional and international value chains.

AGOA has significantly contributed to the growth of Eswatini's exports, particularly in the textiles and apparel sectors, as well as agriculture, with products like sugar, fruits, and nuts.

Government emphasised the importance of maximizing the benefits of AGOA preferences.

"It is therefore crucial that as a country we continue to ride on the already visible benefits accrued and work towards improving the levels of utilisation of the AGOA preferences," the release stated.

The ministry reiterated government’s commitment to collaborating with the U.S. government, the U.S. Embassy in Eswatini, and the Office of the African Affairs at USTR to address any concerns and ensure continued AGOA eligibility in the future.

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