Mbabane – The Kingdom of Eswatini has welcomed the United States Congress’ approval of a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a move seen as vital for the country’s trade and industrial growth.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, said the extension provides certainty for exporters and investors, allowing continued duty-free access to the US market. He noted that AGOA has supported job creation and development in key sectors including textiles, apparel, agriculture, agro-processing and light manufacturing.
The extension strengthens Eswatini’s trade partnership with the United States and is expected to encourage long-term planning, investment, and expansion of production capacity. Khumalo said the government remains committed to meeting AGOA requirements, including good governance, the rule of law, and protection of workers’ rights, while working with the private sector and development partners to maximise benefits.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade from its offices at the Inter-Ministerial Building in Mbabane. The Ministry expressed appreciation to the US Government and Congress for the renewal, describing it as a key opportunity to grow exports, attract investment, and create sustainable employment for Eswatini’s population.
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