Ramaphosa welcomes SA inclusion in AGOA renewal

President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at the Afreximbank signing ceremony at the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg on 04 February 2026.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed South Africa’s inclusion in the renewed African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) after it was signed into law by United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

AGOA, which allows eligible sub-Saharan countries to export duty-free products from various sectors into the US market, has been extended for a year and will expire on the 31^st of December 2026.

Ramaphosa was briefing the media on the sidelines of his visit and walkabout at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) headquarters in Pretoria.

The President said the process of appointing a new SARS Commissioner to succeed Edward Kieswetter is well under way.

“South Africa remains in AGOA and my guess is that the tariff relief that we get from AGOA will apply. We are still in discussion with the US Trade Department, so our discussions are ongoing and I hope will lead to finalisation of a deal between South Africa and the US.”

President Ramaphosa briefs the media after SARS visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfAbpMj9lSU