Future of U.S.-Africa trade under review as AGOA takes spotlight at Angola summit
The U.S.-Africa business summit, organized by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), brings together African heads of state, senior U.S. government representatives, business executives, and development partners.
This year's summit comes at a significant moment, as African nations seek to revive their trade relations with the United States following years of uncertainty.
Key on the agenda are the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is due to expire in 2025, and the push for increased U.S. investment across critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and finance. Several African leaders are using the platform to press for more equitable trade terms and long-term commitments from Washington.
Angola, which currently chairs the African Union, is leveraging the summit to spotlight its ongoing economic reforms and infrastructure ambitions. In particular, the country is promoting projects like the Lobito Corridor, a strategic rail and logistics route linking Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia as a model for regional integration and cross-border trade development.
The corridor is also part of broader efforts to position Angola as a key logistics and investment hub in Southern Africa.
The summit builds on recent high-level engagements between both parties. In December 2024, President Joe Biden visited Angola, becoming the first sitting U.S. President to do so. During that visit, discussions centered around strengthening bilateral relations and boosting U.S. involvement in infrastructure and energy projects.
Angola also recently signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the United States, further reinforcing its commitment to deepening economic ties.
The Luanda summit comes as Angola celebrates 50 years of independence, a milestone that adds symbolic weight to its efforts to lead economic diplomacy across the continent.
While official outcomes from the summit are yet to be fully announced, delegates are hopeful that the event will foster new partnerships, agreements, and investment opportunities.
Summit supports Africa's call for long-term trade with the U.S.
Beyond bilateral ties, the summit underscores a wider competition for influence on the continent.
As China, Russia, and the European Union continue to increase their trade and infrastructure investments across Africa, pressure is mounting on the United States to show stronger and more consistent engagement.
For many African leaders, the U.S. must move beyond symbolic gestures and provide sustained economic support backed by predictable policies.
The uncertainty surrounding AGOA's expiration in 2025 has amplified those concerns. While the Trade Act has allowed duty-free access for African exports for over two decades, its renewal remains undecided.
Several leaders have used the Luanda Trade Act to call for a clearer and more permanent U.S.–Africa trade strategy. Without it, many fear African nations could increasingly turn to alternative partners offering more immediate and less conditional support.
For Washington, the message from Luanda is clear: the continent is open for business, but the window for leadership is narrowing.
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