WASHINGTON — The ONE Campaign today welcomed Congress’s bipartisan passage of H.R. 6500, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, which extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through December 31, 2028. The House voted 370-48 on Tuesday to approve the measure following the Senate’s 90-6 vote in August. The legislation now heads to the President for signature. 

“The best trade leaves both sides stronger. AGOA creates opportunities for businesses and workers in Africa and here at home. This bipartisan extension is an essential step toward building a stronger, more lasting U.S.-Africa trade relationship,” said Mark Green, President and CEO of the ONE Campaign.

Since its enactment in 2000, AGOA has been a cornerstone of U.S. economic engagement with Africa, providing eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products and helping deepen commercial ties between the United States and the African continent. U.S. goods exports to AGOA-eligible countries have increased from $5.2 billion in 2000 to $16.5 billion in 2024, according to U.S. International Trade Commission data. Without an extension AGOA’s legal authority would have expired at the end of this year. 

“An extension through 2028 is progress, but businesses don’t build factories, supply chains, or long-term commercial relationships on two-year timelines,” said Doug Anderson, Senior Director of U.S. Government Relations at the ONE Campaign. “We should use the time to build a modernized, long-term AGOA that will deliver more for American and African businesses than another short-term patch. As China moves to zero tariffs on goods from 53 African countries, the United States cannot afford to just keep defaulting to the status quo a year or two at a time.” 

ONE’s recommendations for modernizing and expanding AGOA were included in formal public comments filed with the Office of the United States Trade Representative in May. ONE has advocated for AGOA for over a decade. Since January, ONE supporters have sent more than 11,000 messages to Congress urging action to extend and strengthen AGOA. 

About ONE:  

ONE is a global, nonpartisan organization advocating for the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa. Since 2004, we have helped secure more than $1 trillion in new investments that build a safer, more prosperous world. Our trusted advocacy combines hard-hitting data, grassroots activism and political engagement to influence decision-makers and drive lasting change.