The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a US trade preference program launched in May 2000 to support sub-Saharan African economies. It provides duty-free access to the US market for over 1,800 products from eligible African countries. While this accounted for a small share of overall US merchandise imports, it represented a significant portion of exports from certain African countries, such as Lesotho and Madagascar. The program has therefore supported both African exporters and US businesses while fostering long-term trade relations. While the African Continental Free Trade Area could help offset some losses, transitioning to alternative markets would be complex and time-consuming, highlighting the critical importance of AGOA for maintaining African access to the US market.