Ghana’s trade relations with the United States are set to receive a major boost following the three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free access to the US market for eligible African countries and products.
The development was announced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in an X post on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The decision by the US to extend the trade agreement, he said, came to light after a high-level bilateral meeting between Ghanaian officials and a United States delegation led by Acting US Ambassador Rolf Olson, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assess Ghana–US relations and outline priority areas for cooperation in 2026.
For two decades, AGOA was more than a trade arrangement – it was a lifeline for businesses, a source of foreign exchange, and a catalyst for industrialisation.
Ghana’s cocoa derivatives, processed fruits, apparel, and other goods found a competitive footing in the United States largely because of the preferential access AGOA guaranteed. However, the agreement expired on September 30, 2025.
Announcing the outcome of the meeting, Mr Ablakwa said the US House of Representatives had voted overwhelmingly to extend AGOA by three years, describing the decision as a significant win for Ghana’s export-led growth agenda.
“The US conveyed another great news, specifically relating to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) — the House of Representatives voted massively on Monday, by 340 votes to 54, to extend AGOA by three years,” he said.
He noted that AGOA’s extension would have a direct impact on local manufacturing, particularly the garment and textile sector.
“This positive development will boost local garment production and create more jobs,” the Minister added, expressing optimism that the US Senate would grant final approval shortly.
The meeting also reviewed progress made in 2025, with both sides acknowledging improved trade and economic cooperation. Ghana welcomed the removal of a 15 per cent tariff imposed under the Trump administration on a wide range of unprocessed and semi-processed agricultural products from Ghana, with officials expressing satisfaction with its implementation.
In addition, Ghana’s exemption from US visa sanctions and proposed $15,000 visa bonds imposed on other countries was reaffirmed.
“Ghana will continue to be exempted from visa sanctions,” the Minister said, describing it as a reflection of the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.
On preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the US assured Ghana that special measures had been introduced to expedite visa applications, a move expected to ease current appointment delays.
Both countries also commended enhanced security and law enforcement cooperation, which led to the extradition of nine suspects from Ghana to the US in 2025, with further cooperation ongoing.
The Foreign Affairs Minister described the overall engagement as evidence of the growing momentum in Ghana–US relations.
“We are impressed with the incredible positive velocity of our Ghana–US bilateral relations,” he said, adding that Ghana would, in 2026, begin negotiations toward a bespoke trade agreement with the United States to further deepen economic cooperation.
