South Africa’s access to one of its most important export markets is facing fresh uncertainty as Washington moves towards removing the country from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 

For more than two decades, the trade programme has allowed eligible African countries to export thousands of products to the United States duty-free. 

South African businesses have used that access to expand operations, reach new customers and create jobs. But a possible withdrawal could change the economics of exporting, leaving companies to reconsider their strategies and the markets they depend on.

In this Africa Watch episode, Julie Scheier tells us what is at stake for companies that have invested in meeting American demand, as well as the workers whose livelihoods depend on those exports.

Credit List:

Executive Producers: Sun Lan, Wang Haiyang
Planning Editor: Mathias Muindi
Reporter:  Julie Scheier
Digital Producers: Francisca Wanjiru
Creative Designer: Bemnet Goitom
Video Editor: Jacques Du Toit
Cameraman: Matthew Brink