Ramaphosa tells South Africa to prepare for loss of US-Africa trade deal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday the country should “prepare” for the possibility of being removed from Washington’s duty-free trade programme for Africa, as ties between the two nations continue to fray.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the US market, has been renewed until the end of 2028.

South Africa is going to look for alternative markets to minimise the impacts of such an exclusion, Ramaphosa said.

I need as president to prepare us if it ever happens.

The US president reviews countries’ eligibility for AGOA annually. Any removal requires 60 days’ notice to Congress and the country concerned. To take effect on 1 January, an exclusion must be announced by 2 November.