To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act

This proclamation designates Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger as eligible and beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), granting them preferential trade benefits including duty-free access for certain products. It also classifies all three as 'lesser developed beneficiary' countries, making them eligible for special apparel trade rules, and directs modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to reflect these designations.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 67035

Key directives

Designate Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger as eligible sub-Saharan African countries
Designate Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger as beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries
Modify HTS general note 16(a) to include the three countries in alphabetical sequence
Classify Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger as lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under section 112(c) of AGOA

Timeline

Immediate

Designation of three countries as AGOA beneficiaries takes effect upon proclamation
HTS general note 16(a) modified to include the three countries

Near term (90d)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection implements tariff schedule changes
Trade flows adjust to newly available duty-free treatment

Long term

Potential expansion of export sectors in Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger
Economic development incentives tied to AGOA compliance requirements

Risks & tensions

Countries must maintain AGOA eligibility requirements (governance, labor rights, economic reforms) to retain benefits
Political instability in any designated country could trigger future suspension
Apparel benefits under section 112(c) subject to competitive pressures from other preferential trade programs