Lesotho Says U.S. Plans One-Year AGOA Extension

Thursday, 25th September 2025.

by inAfrika Newsroom

AGOA extension is likely this year, Lesotho’s government said on Wednesday. Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile told reporters that U.S. lawmakers had agreed in principle to a one-year renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. He said the move would arrive by November or December if talks stay on track. A White House spokesperson has not confirmed the plan. Senate Democrats also said they had not been briefed on a final position.

Shelile led a delegation to Washington from Sept 15–19. He met staff from the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees. He said the message was urgent: keep duty-free access in place while a longer deal is drafted. Lesotho’s factories rely on AGOA to sell apparel into the U.S. market. A lapse would place orders at risk and threaten jobs.

The minister linked the push to this year’s tariff shocks. The U.S. imposed new levies in April, then cut the rate for Lesotho from 50% to 15% in August. He said the interim AGOA extension would steady buyers and help plants survive until Congress finishes a broader reauthorization. He did not give a text or a bill number.

Regional governments are also lobbying. Kenya has asked Washington for a five-year renewal while it pursues a bilateral trade deal. Nairobi argues a longer runway protects supply chains and supports investment. Business groups in several countries back that approach. They warn that short renewals keep buyers in “wait-and-see” mode.

For Lesotho, a one-year patch would buy time. Apparel exporters could hold prices and keep staff through the holiday season. Factory managers still want clarity on rules of origin and any paperwork changes during the bridge period. They also want a firm date for the longer bill to reach the floor.

U.S. lawmakers face a crowded calendar. Election-year politics complicate trade votes. Supporters say AGOA has bipartisan roots and a track record in textiles and light industry. Skeptics push for tighter labor and environmental clauses. The final shape will depend on committee markups and how the House and Senate choose to route the bill. Until then, officials in Maseru will plan around the promised AGOA extension and prepare for a fast pivot if it slips.