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.

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.