The USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (the Hub) is the one-stop shop in the East African region for businesses and national governments seeking to take advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Hub supports Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda to increase their exports to the U.S. through AGOA.
By the end of the project, the Hub expects to increase non-oil exports to the U.S. by 40 percent. Since 2014, the Hub has supported nearly $300 million in AGOA exports to the U.S.
In collaboration with key institutions, the Hub develops and tailors trade enhancing activities to specific countries and sectors, as informed by national AGOA strategies. It also identifies and works with private sector associations and companies to foster impactful trade and investment in the region.
The Hub focuses its support in the following areas:
- Country-level strategy development and implementation
- Market-linkages support
- Firm-level technical assistance
- Information dissemination and training
Download the Hub's AGOA infographic
Download the Hub's AGOA flyer
Download the Hub's AGOA brochure
Focus Areas:
Textile and Apparel
Apparel accounts for the largest volume of African trade to the U.S. under AGOA (some 90% of non-oil exports) and is a key sector in East Africa in terms of employment and growth potential. East Africa has become a focal point for African sourcing, a trend that is expected to continue as global sourcing patterns change.
Watch our sourcing videos:
Home Decor & Fashion Accessories
This sector includes young fashion designers and entrepreneurs whose projects often have a social compliance component. African designers are continually wowing U.S. brands with their talent.
Floriculture
The cut flowers industry is an important sector for several countries in East Africa, chiefly Kenya and Ethiopia. Kenya is the top exporter of roses to the European market, and both Kenya and Ethiopia are eyeing expansion into new markets, including the U.S.
Footwear
A developed leather industry in Ethiopia makes that country a significant shoe producer and the top African exporter of shoes to the U.S. under AGOA. Kenya is looking to revitalize its industry to competitively compete in export markets for footwear, handbags and other accessories.
Specialty Foods
Opportunities in niche processed foods (and beverages) exist in East Africa. Products from the region such as dried fruits, specialty coffees and teas, fruit juices, jams and sauces have found export markets, including the U.S.
Expected Outcomes
Support national AGOA strategy/action plan development
The recent extension of the AGOA legislation until 2025 calls for all AGOA-eligible countries to develop National AGOA Strategies. The Hub is providing technical support to governments to develop national AGOA strategies and implementation of action plans. The strategy documents constitute road maps for countries to maximize their utilization of the benefits provided by AGOA. AGOA strategies are a crucial tool to allow countries to target key sectors and product categories for focus and support to increase trade with the U.S.
The Hub has facilitated the development of the following AGOA strategies
The Hub will continue providing support to the Ministries of Trade to assist in the implementation of the AGOA strategies.
Trade shows, buyer missions and B2B forums
The Hub promotes direct business linkages by proactively organizing and supporting business to business events, trade shows, and buyer missions.
The Hub aims to increase the export volumes of individual firms by linking them with importers in foreign markets. The collective outcomes are reflected in Hub-facilitated trade. Trade shows, buyer missions and B2B events increase regional EAC exports and international exports. They also build economies of scale and create a foundation for integrated global supply chains.
Read about some of the buyer mission and trade shows:
Superior Uniform Group buyer mission
Targeted Firm-level Technical Assistance
The Hub provides targeted firm-level technical assistance to enhance export competitiveness of eastern African firms. Firms engaging in linkages need to be export-ready with quality products that meet buyers’ needs and are compliant with technical standards. Firms need access to financial products to support the export cycles; should have capacity to handle export procedures and export logistics; and should be able to effectively engage with buyers.
Enhanced AGOA Export Preparedness and AGOA Information Dissemination
The purpose of AGOA export preparedness is to educate and to build the capacity of the public and private sectors on AGOA, leading to greater uptake of AGOA export opportunities.
The Hub has successfully organized several AGOA preparedness workshops in the region. Read about them below.
Kenya AGOA Preparedness Workshop
Rwanda AGOA Preparedness Workshop
Uganda AGOA Preparedness Workshop
Madagascar AGOA Preparedness Workshop
Build Capacity of Key Partners and Trade-Support Institutions
The Hub is working with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Madagascar and the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association to support an increase in exports to the U.S. under AGOA.
The Hub has provided a grant to AmCham Madagascar to assist in the development of an AGOA Resource Center. Among other services, the resource center provides Malagasy exporters with U.S. market requirements and information, and supports business linkages. Want to learn more? Watch AmCham Madagascar's new resource center video.
AGOA FAQ ASK AN AGOA EXPERT AGOA - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AGOA GENERAL AGOA RULES OF ORIGIN VISIT OUR AGOA EXPORTER DIRECTORY AGOA PRODUCTS LIST