Nigeria, Nov. 3 -- The US government has said it is suspending South Africa and Rwanda from its duty-free trade programme under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday that both countries failed to meet AGOA's eligibility criteria.

He cited concerns about human rights, corruption and threats to US interests as justification for the policy, which will take effect on 1 January 2027.

South Africa has been the largest beneficiary. In 2025, it exported about $1.7 billion worth of goods to the US under AGOA.

"President Trump found that the governments of Rwanda and South Africa are engaging in practices that are inconsistent with AGOA's eligibility criteria," Mr Greer said in a st...