By EPN Reporter
MBABANE– The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has welcomed the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), describing it as a timely boost to the country’s economic growth, trade expansion, and job creation efforts.
In a statement issued on January 14, 2026, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba B. Khumalo, expressed optimism following the approval by the United States Congress to extend AGOA for a further three years. The extension secures continued duty-free access for Eswatini’s exports to the United States market, providing renewed confidence for exporters, investors, and the broader business community.
“This is encouraging and timely news for Eswatini and the African continent at large,” said Khumalo. “Over the years, AGOA has played a critical role in promoting trade, industrial development, export growth, and job creation, particularly in key sectors such as textiles and apparel, agriculture, agro-processing, and light manufacturing.”
AGOA has long been a cornerstone of Eswatini’s export-led growth strategy, supporting thousands of jobs, especially in the textile and apparel sector. The renewed certainty provided by the extension is expected to strengthen long-term planning, attract new investment, and expand productive capacity across various industries.
“The three-year extension of AGOA provides much-needed certainty and predictability to our exporters and investors, reinforcing confidence in our continued access to the United States market on a duty-free basis,” the Minister noted.
Beyond trade access, the renewal sends a strong signal of continued international support for African economies. Eswatini has reaffirmed its commitment to good governance, the rule of law, and the protection of workers’ rights as part of its continued eligibility under AGOA.
“We look forward to leveraging this opportunity to expand exports, attract investment, and create sustainable employment for the people of Eswatini,” Khumalo said.
