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Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) have released the following statement announcing their full support for reauthorizing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) before September 2025. By 2050 it is estimated that Africa will be the home to 2.5 billion people, with over half of this population being under the age of 25. This demographic boom will only further Africa’s importance in the global economy. Through AGOA, the United States has a strong foundation to further economic opportunities for African workers, assist African countries in their move up the economic value chain, and incentivize greater investment throughout the continent.

“AGOA has played an important role in advancing U.S. foreign policy goals across Sub-Saharan Africa and strengthening the trade and economic production capacities of African countries. Africa is on the precipice of an unprecedented demographic boom. The timely reauthorization of AGOA is important to provide business certainty and show the United States’ continued support towards Africa’s economic growth. We are committed to working with our colleagues and our African partners to improve AGOA, but we believe the principal consideration must be ensuring a successful and timely reauthorization.”

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