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.

I need as president to prepare us if it ever happens. So we should not go out and jump off tall buildings and think that this is the end of the world.

Ramaphosa conceded that the impacts of such an exclusion would be “devastating” for the country’s economy and jobs. He noted that his government is in discussions with US counterparts and is actively seeking alternative markets to mitigate potential losses.