U.S. Representative Terri A. Sewell, D-Alabama, ranking member of the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee, Wednesday applauded the Committee’s bipartisan passage of legislation to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, for three years.
“Since joining the Ways and Means Committee, I have been proud to lead the effort in the House of Representatives to protect and expand the AGOA program,” Sewell said. “This three-year extension reaffirms our commitment to strengthening economic ties, expanding trade opportunities, and promoting democratic values across the African continent. I am proud to join my colleagues in ensuring that this vital program continues to deliver jobs and prosperity both at home and abroad.”
AGOA provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products from eligible sub-Saharan African countries. Over the past 25 years, it has helped spur economic growth, encourage investment, and foster stronger partnerships between the United States and Africa. The program has also supported job creation and expanded opportunities for American businesses seeking to engage in African markets.
Sewell has long championed AGOA as a tool for advancing both economic development and democratic governance. In October, Sewell called on Congress to extend the program alongside Ranking Member Richard Neal and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sánchez. As a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, she has consistently emphasized the importance of U.S.-Africa relations and the need to build bridges of opportunity.
“AGOA is not just about strengthening ties abroad, it is about creating opportunities right here in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District,” Sewell said. “From Birmingham and Tuscaloosa to Selma and the Black Belt, our businesses and workers benefit when we expand access to global markets. This extension means more jobs, more investment, and more chances for Alabama companies to showcase their products to the world. I am committed to ensuring that our district remains at the forefront of America’s engagement with Africa.”
The three-year extension will provide certainty for businesses and governments across Africa, while giving Congress time to consider longer-term reforms to strengthen and modernize the program.
Sewell’s remarks made Wednesday can be seen here.
