US farm groups push for GMO policy changes in Africa through AGOA talks
American farm groups want Washington to tie AGOA trade benefits to wider acceptance of biotechnology products in African markets.
AFRICA – American agricultural groups are asking the US government to use the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to push African countries to ease restrictions on genetically modified products.
In a letter sent on May 15 to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, 15 farm groups, including the National Corn Producers Association and the American Federation of Farmers, said strict biotechnology rules in Africa limit trade opportunities for US producers.
The groups argued that AGOA eligibility should depend partly on how African countries handle biotechnology products. They said many African markets remain closed to American farmers because governments across the continent maintain strict controls on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
“AGOA offers duty-free trade access to eligible countries, with the aim of generating economic benefits while strengthening relations with the United States,” the groups said in the statement.
“Unfortunately, the vast majority of African countries have not adopted policies facilitating trade in agricultural biotechnology products, which closes these markets to American farmers, who need to diversify and conquer new opportunities around the world,” the statement added.
AGOA started in May 2000 and gives eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for more than 1,800 products. These goods include several agricultural and food products.
The issue comes at a key moment for African exporters. Although AGOA was due to end on October 1, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed a law on February 3, 2026, extending the program until the end of this year.
The White House said the extension would serve as a test period while Washington reviews the program under the administration’s America First trade policy. US officials also said African countries should open their markets further to American goods if they want to continue receiving AGOA benefits.
US farm groups believe biotechnology rules should form part of that review process.
Trade data from the US Department of Agriculture shows agri-food trade between the United States and Africa rose by 55% in 2025 to nearly US$11.57 billion. Africa also recorded a trade surplus of US$141 million in agri-food exports to the US, marking the first time in five years that the continent exported more agricultural products to America than it imported.
Despite this trade growth, GMO use across Africa remains limited. USDA data shows that by 2019, only six African countries had approved genetically modified crops either for commercial farming or field trials. These countries include South Africa, Sudan, Nigeria and Kenya.
Many African governments continue to raise concerns about biosecurity, seed control and access to export markets, leaving the future of GMO policy on the continent uncertain.
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