The African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of Pretoria (ACSUS-UP), featured as a Civil Society delegate at the 21^st AGOA Forum 2024 in Washington, D.C. The Forum was held from 24 to 26 July. ACSUS-UP was invited by the Africa Program of the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., and was represented by its Director, Prof. Christopher Isike, who was already participating in the 2024 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) hosted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass). The 21^st AGOA Forum was hosted under the theme: Beyond 2025: Reimagining AGOA for an Inclusive, Sustainable and Prosperous Tomorrow.

Prof. Christopher Isike on Day 1 of the AGOA Forum

Prof. Christopher Isike was in the room when the South African Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Mr. Mpho Parks Tau, made a case to the US government not to weaponise AGOA as a political tool to influence the foreign policy of African states. He made the call on behalf of other African Trade Ministers attending the 21^st AGOA Forum in Washington DC July 24 – 26, 2024.

Prof. Christopher Isike on Day 2 of the AGOA Forum

Prof Isike also made a similar input the day before in the civil society session, and it was adopted and read out as one of the civil society's recommendations to the forum. 

Minister Mpho Parks Tau making his opening remarks on Day 1

The South African delegation led by Minister Tau consisted of leaders from the private sector, civil society, and organised labour, including Zingiswa Losi, the President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU or Cosatu), and they made a strong case for continued collaboration. Minister Parks Tau also led a South African delegation to persuade the U.S. Congress to extend AGOA benefits amidst recent strained relations between the two countries.

Zingiswa Losi, COSATU president

Former United States President Bill Clinton signed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) into law in May 2000.  It was extended in 2015 by 10 years to 2025. The objectives of the legislation include the expansion and deepening of the trade and investment relationship with Sub-Saharan Africa, to encourage economic growth and development as well as regional integration, and to help facilitate the integration of Sub-Saharan Africa into the global economy. 

Secretary Jose W Fernandez of the US State Department making his remarks during the Ministerial Opening Ceremony.

The Deputy Secretary, US Department of the Treasury, Wally Adeyemo did the closing ceremony. He is one of the five Nigerian-Americans in Biden’s cabinet and the first person of such to occupy this position in U.S. history. Prof. Christopher Isike introduced ACSUS-UP to him and emphasised the Centre’s vision of becoming a top think-tank and premier African knowledge-creation hub on studies about the United States and South African/African–US cooperation in the pursuit of regional integration, scientific enquiry, and global socio-economic and geopolitical change.

Wally Adeyemo making the closing remarks on behalf of the US Government.

Prof. Christopher Isike & Wally Adeyemo on Day 2.

Well attended by several government ministers from AGOA beneficiary countries in Africa, representatives of the private sector, organised labour and other civil society groups, the Forum had fruitful deliberations and concluded with very good recommendations on how to deepen the thrust of AGOA to make it more inclusive of and beneficial the working class, women and youth in Africa.