Eswatini retains AGOA eligibility for 2025

Mbabane, Eswatini – March 7, 2025 – The Kingdom of Eswatini has secured its eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for the 2025 calendar year, ensuring continued access to the U.S. market for local exporters. The confirmation, communicated by the U.S. Embassy in Eswatini on March 5, reinforces the economic relationship between the two nations and bolsters investor confidence in the country’s trade sector.

The government thanked the U.S. government and the U.S. Embassy in Eswatini for their support in maintaining the country’s AGOA status. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade acknowledged AGOA’s role in providing a stable market for local industries, particularly textiles, apparel, and agriculture.

Retaining AGOA eligibility brings economic certainty for businesses already exporting to the U.S., allowing them to fulfill orders without disruption. It also strengthens Eswatini’s appeal for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by ensuring continued preferential access to the American market. The ministry noted that this development is expected to enhance productivity, value addition, and job creation while aligning with broader national economic goals such as poverty alleviation and industrial growth.

The government expects AGOA to complement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), providing a broader framework for regional industrialization. By leveraging AGOA’s rules of origin, Eswatini and other eligible African nations can integrate supply chains, source inputs locally, and export finished goods to the U.S. This arrangement is expected to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including those led by women and youth.

AGOA has expanded Eswatini’s export base, particularly in key sectors like textiles, apparel, and agriculture. Products such as sugar, fruits, and nuts have seen increased access to the U.S. market, contributing to the nation’s economic growth. The government aims to enhance utilization of AGOA’s benefits and maximize the opportunities it provides.