Overview Since it was signed into law in May 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has played a critical role in the United States’ trade relationship with sub-Saharan Africa. AGOA has fostered economic growth and development on the continent and has created tens of thousands of jobs for its people. AGOA has also continued to encourage American companies to both do business with and invest in sub-Saharan Africa and has encouraged African governments to develop and implement African-led solutions to economic and political reforms. In 2023, U.S. imports under AGOA (including the Generalized System of Preferences or “GSP” program) totaled $9.7 billion. This consisted of approximately $4.2 billion in crude oil and $5.5 billion in other products, including $1.1 billion in apparel and more than $900 million in agricultural products.