In January 2026, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) approved a three-year extension BY the U.S. House of Representatives . This decision allows Mauritius to continue exporting many products to the United States without paying customs duties until 31 December 2028.
This renewal is extremely important for Mauritius. AGOA had expired on 30 September 2025, creating three months of uncertainty for exporters. During that period, Mauritian products faced higher costs in the U.S. market, making them less competitive. The extension restores confidence and stability for businesses that depend on exports.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a U.S. trade programme created in 2000. Its goal is to support economic development in sub-Saharan Africa by giving eligible countries easier access to the U.S. market.
Under AGOA, qualifying African countries can export thousands of products to the United States duty-free and quota-free. This makes African products more competitive compared to those from countries that must pay import taxes.
AGOA allows duty-free access for 6,000 to 7,000 product categories, more than the standard U.S. preference schemes. These products include:
These are sectors where Mauritius already has experience and expertise, especially textiles and apparel.
To benefit from AGOA, countries must meet certain conditions, such as:
Mauritius has consistently met these requirements.
AGOA was first extended in 2015 for ten years, ending in September 2025. When it expired without immediate renewal, exporters across Africa faced uncertainty.
On 12 January 2026, the U.S. House approved a new extension until December 2028, with strong support from both political parties. The bill now awaits final approval by the U.S. Senate, which is expected.
Mauritius is one of the most successful AGOA beneficiaries. It has enjoyed full eligibility since the beginning and is approved for textile and apparel exports, the most valuable part of the programme.
Not all AGOA countries qualify for textile benefits, which gives Mauritius a competitive edge.
However, the short lapse of AGOA in late 2025 meant exporters had to pay tariffs again, reducing competitiveness and squeezing already thin profit margins.
Mauritius moved from a sugar-based economy to a diversified one largely through export-led growth. The textile sector, developed under the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), played a major role.
AGOA arrived at a crucial time, just before global textile quotas were removed in 2005. Without AGOA, Mauritian manufacturers would have struggled to compete with lower-cost producers in Asia.
AGOA allowed Mauritius to compete onquality, reliability, and compliance, not just low wages. This helped protect jobs and keep the industry alive.
Today, the economy faces several difficulties:
Studies show that if AGOA were permanently removed, Mauritius’ textile exports could fall by nearly 10% by 2029, leading to job losses and lower foreign income.
The renewal of AGOA until December 2028 is a major win for Mauritius. It protects exports, supports jobs, and provides short-term stability for key industries, especially textiles.
However, AGOA should be seen as a temporary opportunity, not a long-term guarantee. Mauritius must use this period to modernise its economy, move up the value chain, and prepare for a future without trade preferences.
Handled wisely, the AGOA extension can act as a bridge toward a more resilient, diversified, and competitive Mauritian economy.
EN 
FR