The United States and Africa Foreign Imports Trade Facts
U.S.–Africa Trade Facts & Top AGOA Suppliers (Updated 2024–2025)
Snapshot: U.S. goods imports from Africa in 2024 reached $39.6 billion (↑2.7% YoY). The U.S. goods trade deficit with Africa narrowed to $7.2 billion. Source: USTR Africa overview, 2024.
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AGOA status (2025): The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) remains the core U.S.–Africa trade preference program. Congress is considering reauthorization beyond 2025; uncertainty plus new U.S. tariff actions have created headwinds for some exporters (notably apparel and autos).U.S. – Africa Trade Overview (2023–2024)
- In 2024, U.S. goods imports from Africa totaled $39.6 billion, representing a 2.7% increase from 2023. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- The U.S. goods trade deficit with Africa shrank to $7.2 billion in 2024. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- U.S. imports under AGOA (including GSP provisions) totaled $9.7 billion in 2023, comprising approximately $4.2 billion in crude oil and $5.5 billion in non-oil goods. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- In 2024, AGOA imports fell to about $8.0 billion (–13% year over year). Crude oil accounted for ~$2.0 billion (≈25% of AGOA imports). Non-energy AGOA imports totaled approximately $6.0 billion. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Top AGOA non-oil import categories in 2024 include passenger vehicles ($2.4 billion), apparel ($1.2 billion), agricultural & food products ($949 million), base metals ($711 million), and chemicals ($251 million). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Top AGOA exporters in 2023 were South Africa ($14.0 billion), Nigeria ($5.7 billion), Ghana ($1.7 billion), Angola ($1.2 billion), and Côte d’Ivoire ($948 million). :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Selected Country Updates
USA – Angola (2023–2024)
- Angola remained a significant exporter of crude oil under AGOA. In 2024, it contributed ~$2.0 billion in crude imports (part of the ~$8.0B AGOA total). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- In the 2024 AGOA summary, Angola remained among the key oil exporters, although its non-oil contributions remained modest. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
USA – Kenya (2023–2024)
- Kenya continues to be a top non-oil AGOA supplier: in 2023, apparel exports from Kenya under AGOA remained among the most utilized. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- In 2024, trade policy changes (tariffs and AGOA uncertainty) have threatened apparel export margins for Kenya. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
USA – Nigeria (2023–2024)
- In 2023, Nigeria supplied ~$5.7 billion to the U.S., largely through crude oil (~$3.6 billion). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- In 2024, Nigeria was the top AGOA crude oil supplier (~$1.6 billion out of $2.0B crude imports). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
USA – South Africa (2023–2024)
- South Africa is the leading AGOA non-oil goods exporter, contributing significantly to exports of vehicles, jewelry, chemicals, and citrus. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- Recent U.S. tariffs (especially on autos) have put South Africa’s export advantages under strain. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
USA – Ghana & Côte d’Ivoire (2023)
- Ghana distinguished itself in 2023 as a top exporter of cocoa products, apparel, and other AGOA-eligible goods. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
- Côte d’Ivoire (2023 total: approximately $948 million) was significant in cocoa, rubber, and fruit exports. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Key 2024–2025 Trends
- AGOA imports: approximately $8.0 billion from roughly $9.7 billion in 2023. About a quarter was crude oil; non‑oil imports (~$6 billion) include vehicles, apparel, agri‑food, base metals, and chemicals.
- Top partners: South Africa (autos, jewelry, citrus), Nigeria (crude), Ghana & Côte d’Ivoire (cocoa & agri), Kenya (apparel).
Sources: USTR Africa overview (2024); USTR 2024 AGOA Biennial Report; CRS IF10149 (Feb 2025).
Selected Country Updates
Angola — U.S. Imports (2024)
- U.S. goods imports totaled ~$1.9 billion, driven primarily by crude oil.
- Angola remains a significant AGOA crude supplier; non‑oil exports remain modest.
Sources: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024; CRS IF10149 (Feb 2025).
Kenya — U.S. Imports (2024)
- U.S. goods imports from Kenya: $737.1 million (↑5.8% YoY).
- Two‑way goods trade: ~$1.5 billion. Apparel remains Kenya’s leading AGOA export to the U.S.
Source: USTR Kenya country page (2024).
South Africa — U.S. Imports (2024)
- U.S. goods imports: $14.7 billion (↑5.1% YoY). Total goods trade: $20.5 billion.
- Key categories: vehicles, precious metals/jewelry, chemicals, citrus.
Source: USTR South Africa country page (2024).
Nigeria — U.S. Imports (2023–2024)
- Top AGOA crude oil supplier in 2024 (~$1.6 billion crude within AGOA total).
- 2023 total exports to the U.S.: ~$5.7 billion (primarily crude oil).
Sources: CRS IF10149 (Feb 2025); USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Ghana — U.S. Imports (2023)
- ~$1.7 billion in U.S. imports (cocoa products, apparel among leading non‑oil AGOA items).
Source: USTR 2024 AGOA Biennial Report.
Côte d’Ivoire — U.S. Imports (2023)
- ~$0.95 billion; key products: cocoa, rubber, fruit.
Source: USTR 2024 AGOA Biennial Report.
Ethiopia — U.S. Imports (context)
- Historically, apparel/footwear under AGOA; recent eligibility and policy shifts have affected volumes.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Egypt — U.S. Imports (context)
- Not an AGOA country (North Africa); notable U.S. imports include apparel, fertilizers, and industrial goods (outside AGOA framework).
Source: USTR NTE Report 2024.
Morocco — U.S. Imports (context)
- Covered by the U.S.-Morocco FTA; U.S. imports include fertilizers, apparel, and electronics.
Source: USTR NTE Report 2024.
Rwanda — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Coffee and tungsten are typical top categories; apparel volumes have varied with policy eligibility.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Tanzania — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Coffee/tea/spices, and apparel are among the leading categories.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Madagascar — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Strong in vanilla/spices and apparel; significant non‑oil AGOA exporter.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Mozambique — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Base metals, titanium ores, and nuts are prominent; AGOA utilization varies.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Senegal — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Seafood/prepared foods, and fertilizers feature in recent trade flows.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Zambia — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Copper and precious stones dominate the U.S. import profile.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Uganda — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Coffee remains the leading agricultural import, with spices and horticulture being secondary.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Zimbabwe — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Iron and steel, as well as agricultural items (tea), appear among the import lines; volumes are modest.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Cameroon — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Mineral fuels, timber, and cocoa are among the notable imports.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
DR Congo (Congo–Kinshasa) — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Copper and cobalt-related products, diamonds, and coffee are also featured on a smaller scale.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Benin & Burkina Faso — U.S. Imports (2023)
- Benin: cashews/tree nuts; limited industrial goods.
- Burkina Faso: cashews and precious stones; apparel is a small sector.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Djibouti, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Namibia — U.S. Imports (overview)
- Djibouti: modest volumes; some coffee transshipment and low‑value categories.
- Gabon: manganese ores, mineral fuels, timber.
- Sierra Leone: machinery parts, ores/metals.
- Namibia: diamonds/precious metals; ores and fish products.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Togo, Malawi, Lesotho, Mauritius — U.S. Imports (overview)
- Togo: fertilizers/chemicals; textiles, small.
- Malawi: tea, tobacco, nuts.
- Lesotho: Apparel under AGOA remains economically vital.
- Mauritius: apparel and jewelry; some sugar and processed foods.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea‑Bissau — U.S. Imports (overview)
- Mauritania: fish and fertilizers; overall volumes are volatile.
- Mali: gold and art/antiques reflect in trade lines.
- Guinea: bauxite/aluminum ores; fish/seafood, smaller.
- Guinea‑Bissau: cashews at a modest scale.
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Sao Tome & Principe, Somalia, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Republic of Congo — U.S. Imports (overview)
- Country profiles vary from hydrocarbons (Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo; Chad, Niger) to timber/art (CAR), seafood (Cabo Verde, STP), and limited manufactured goods (Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan).
Source: USTR AGOA Biennial Report 2024.
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