- The US House of Representatives approved a three-year extension of AGOA, granting Ghana duty-free access to the US market
- AGOA’s extension expected to boost Ghana’s garment, textile, cocoa, and processed fruit exports
- Ghana welcomed the removal of a 15% tariff on unprocessed and semi-processed agricultural products
Ghana’s trade ties with the United States are set to receive a major boost following the three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access to the US market for eligible African countries and products. The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in a post on X on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The US decision to extend the trade agreement followed a high-level bilateral meeting between Ghanaian officials and a US delegation led by Acting Ambassador Rolf Olson. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reviewed Ghana–US relations and outlined priority areas for cooperation in 2026.
For two decades, AGOA has been more than a trade arrangement for Ghana – it has served as a lifeline for businesses, a source of foreign exchange, and a driver of industrialisation. Ghana’s cocoa derivatives, processed fruits, apparel, and other goods have benefited from the preferential access AGOA provides. The agreement had expired on September 30, 2025.
Announcing the outcome of the meeting, Minister Ablakwa said the US House of Representatives had voted overwhelmingly to extend AGOA by three years, calling it a major win for Ghana’s export-led growth strategy.
“The US conveyed another great news, specifically relating to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA — the House of Representatives voted massively on Monday, by 340 votes to 54, to extend AGOA by three years,” he stated.
The Minister highlighted that AGOA’s extension will directly benefit local manufacturing, particularly the garment and textile sector.
“This positive development will boost local garment production and create more jobs,” he said, expressing optimism that the US Senate will grant final approval shortly.
The meeting also assessed progress made in 2025, with both sides acknowledging improvements in trade and economic cooperation. Ghana welcomed the removal of a 15 per cent tariff imposed under the Trump administration on a wide range of unprocessed and semi-processed agricultural products, noting satisfaction with its implementation.
Additionally, Ghana’s exemption from US visa sanctions and the proposed $15,000 visa bonds imposed on other countries was reaffirmed.
“Ghana will continue to be exempted from visa sanctions,” the Minister said, describing it as a reflection of the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Regarding preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the US confirmed that special measures have been introduced to expedite visa applications, expected to ease current delays.
Both countries also praised strengthened security and law enforcement cooperation, which resulted in the extradition of nine suspects from Ghana to the US in 2025, with further collaboration ongoing.
Minister Ablakwa described the engagement as a sign of the growing momentum in Ghana–US relations.
“We are impressed with the incredible positive velocity of our Ghana–US bilateral relations,” he said, adding that in 2026, Ghana will begin negotiations toward a bespoke trade agreement with the United States to further deepen economic cooperation.
