Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) has introduced the AGOA Extension and Bilateral Engagement Act, also known as AGOA 2.0, which aims to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) while focusing on supporting U.S. interests and addressing China’s growing presence in Africa.
“China is using Africa to expand its influence at America’s expense. We need to rethink our relationships in the region while strengthening trade with African countries that share our values. This bill makes sure AGOA works for America’s interests—not against them,” said Kennedy.
The proposed legislation would renew AGOA for two years and ensure that participating countries support U.S. interests instead of aligning with adversaries such as Beijing and Moscow. The bill also incorporates provisions from Kennedy’s U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, which seeks to hold South Africa accountable for its alignment with nations considered rivals of the United States.
Key elements of the AGOA 2.0 Act include a two-year extension of AGOA, requirements for a U.S. strategy to negotiate bilateral trade agreements with select AGOA countries, and an emphasis on clear eligibility criteria such as democratic governance, rule of law, human rights protections, anti-corruption efforts, and open markets. The act also specifically targets efforts to counter Chinese influence by ensuring that the program strengthens U.S. partnerships in Africa.
AGOA was first enacted by Congress in 2000 to promote stronger trade ties between the United States and sub-Saharan African nations by providing duty-free access to thousands of products for eligible countries committed to market-based economies and democratic principles. As of September 30, 2025, when its trade benefits expired, a total of 32 countries were eligible under the program.
The full text of the AGOA Extension and Bilateral Engagement Act is available here.
