The White House has formally notified Congress that Rwanda and South Africa will be removed from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) effective 1 January 2027.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said an annual review concluded that both Rwanda and South Africa were engaging in practices inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility criteria.

Greer added that the administration had already communicated the decision to the two governments, citing trade barriers, national‑security concerns and foreign‑policy considerations.

Specific concerns for Rwanda include alleged human‑rights violations, limited political pluralism, rule‑of‑law deficiencies and workers’‑rights issues.

The move follows a recent US Treasury sanction on Rwanda’s defence ministry for alleged support to M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

For South Africa, the United States highlighted corruption as a key factor behind the termination decision.

Greer emphasized that the administration expects African partners to take corrective steps to meet AGOA eligibility in the future.

US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III described the termination as a predictable outcome of South Africa’s refusal to address US‑raised concerns.