Johannesburg: South Africa is signaling confidence in the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the U.S. trade initiative that provides sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the American market. The program, which has been a cornerstone of U.S.-Africa trade relations for decades, officially expires today, prompting heightened diplomatic engagement between Pretoria and Washington.

Trade Minister Parks Tau, returning from a high-level visit to Washington, conveyed that there is strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for extending the program. “While discussions suggest a short-term renewal of one to three years, the emphasis remains on securing the extension itself,” Tau said. This cautious approach is seen as a strategic step, allowing time to

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