Uganda is no longer a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), after the United States struck the country off at the end of December. **
The United States also removed three other African countries, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Niger, from Agoa, effective from January 1.
The decree by US President Joe Biden on December 29 will effectively end Kampala’s ability to export certain commodities to the US without added tax.
It could have a serious impact on the Ugandan economy, which has significantly benefited from the program since its establishment in 2000.
In October, Biden said that Uganda’s removal from Agoa was due to “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”
“Despite intensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address United States concerns about their non-compliance with the Agoa eligibility criteria,” Biden said in a letter to the speaker of the US House of Representatives.
Agoa gives eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US for more than 1,800 products.
It is set to expire in December 2025, although the US has signaled intentions to extend it.
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