U.S., Côte d’Ivoire To Co-host 2019 AGOA

The United States (U.S.) and Côte d’Ivoire are co-hosting the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Abidjan this week.

According to a statement from the U.S. State Department the Forum brings together senior U.S. officials and representatives from the 39 AGOA-eligible countries in Africa, including members of regional economic communities, the private sector and civil society.  

“The theme of this year’s Forum is “AGOA and the Future: Developing a New Trade Paradigm to Guide U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment.”  The 2019 Forum will explore new tools that both the U.S. and African governments have developed over the past year and how to use them most effectively.  It will also highlight the important role played by women, youth, civil society, and the private sector in promoting trade, expanding economic growth, and generating prosperity,” the statement reads. 

The program began with an AGOA Private Sector and Civil Society Forum, followed by the AGOA Forum Ministerial, with a trade exhibition running throughout.

The U.S. State Department describes AGOA as “cornerstone of the U.S. government’s trade policy with sub-Saharan Africa since 2000.” 

The annual Forum alternates between the U.S. and Africa.