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Ramaphosa says SA is diversifying trade after Agoa exclusion

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President Cyril Ramaphosa said after voting in Johannesburg that South Africa wants a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. The trade department confirmed the US gave 60 days' notice that Agoa benefits end on 1 January 2027.

Ramaphosa spoke on the sidelines after he voted at Hyde Park High School in the local government elections. He said diversifying trade has become the priority. He said South Africa started to diversify when the process of the Liberation Day tariff increase began.

The president called the exclusion from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) a negative for the country. He said Agoa is a unilateral arrangement that the US decides on. He said South Africa prefers a bilateral agreement that both sides negotiate with Washington.

Reports said Agoa exports were worth $1.7bn (R29bn) in 2025 and $4bn in 2024. Agoa exports make up about 1% of South Africa's total global exports.

Key facts

Who
Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa); Tshepo Motsepe (First Lady); Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (South African government department that confirmed the Agoa notice and is…)
What
Ramaphosa, speaking after voting in the local government elections in Johannesburg, said SA is diversifying trade and wants a bilateral trade deal with the US following its Agoa exclusion. The department of trade, industry and competition confirmed that the US gave SA 60 days' notice of withdrawing Agoa benefits, effective January 1 2027.
When
4 November 2026
Where
Johannesburg, South Africa, United States
Status
Reported

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