Press Releases

AGOA Up

U.S. – Africa Trade Is Up:
Non-Oil AGOA Trade Expands

March 21, 2005

The U.S. Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a program that provides        preferential access to its markets to developing nations.

AGOA across Africa has been a success, increasing U.S. two-way trade with Africa and diversifying the range of products being traded.In 2004, AGOA imports (including GSP) totaled $26.6 billion.

Take oil away from AGOA and you find that non-oil AGOA imports totaled $3.5 billion, up 22 percent over 2003.

Apparel and agricultural products accounted for more than half of non-oil AGOA imports.

AGOA apparel products totaled $1.6 billion, up 35 percent, and agricultural products    were $265.1 million, up 10 percent over 2003.

Particularly impressive is the growth in AGOA imports of footwear, up 223 percent       since 2000; toys and sportswear, up 79 percent; fruits and nuts, up 68 percent; and cut   flowers, up 58 percent.

Two-way total trade (exports plus imports) between the United States and sub-            Saharan Africa increased 37 percent, to just over $44 billion in 2004.

U.S. total exports to Africa rose 25 percent to $8.6 billion, and U.S. imports (AGOA   and non-AGOA) from Africa increased by 40 percent to $35.9 billion.

Rwanda’s AGOA related exports for 2004 totaled approximately $100,000 -- a quadrupling over 2003.

For more information: www.ustr.gov

Source: The Office of the United States Trade Representative