Welcome to the AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network Site!!! The AGOA Civil Society (CSO) Network is a consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), small-to-medium -sized business representatives, chambers of commerce and other groups in the United States and Africa that are interested in the successful application of AGOA for the benefit of the American and African people. The Network was established by 102 member organizations from the United States, Mauritius, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Mali, Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo that were in attendance during the AGOA Civil Society Forum on January 17, 2003, in Phoenix, Mauritius. The AGOA CSO Network's focus is on increasing the volume and quality of African exports under AGOA and educating stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean on this trade policy and its advantages.
Join us for our 9th Annual AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network Spring Conference on April 18th, 2024 on Capitol Hill to discuss the Timely Reauthorization and Enhancement of AGOA Beyond 2025. Seating Limited!!!
Dear Mr. President, Petition for Timely Re-Authorization and Enhancement of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Beyond 2025 We, the undersigned members of the AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network and other stakeholders from across the United States and AGOA-eligible countries, committed to sustained U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa trade and economic cooperation, hereby petition for your support for the timely re-authorization/extension and enhancement of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the 118th Congress. The AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network is a consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), small- to medium-sized businesses, chambers of commerce, and other groups from the United States and Africa interested in the successful application of AGOA for the benefit of the American and African people. The AGOA CSO Network Secretariat was established at the conclusion of the AGOA Civil Society Forum in Phoenix, Mauritius, by 102- member organizations from the United States, Mauritius, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Mali, Lesotho, and the Democratic Republic of Congo on January 17, 2003. The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) and the Mauritius Council of Social Services were elected as co-chairs and empowered to establish and manage the Secretariat for the AGOA CSO Network. Additionally, the Secretariat was mandated to make all the necessary preparations for subsequent AGOA Civil Society Sessions of the annual AGOA Forum. About the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) In 2002, 2004, and 2006, with bi-partisan support, Congress passed, and the Executive Branch implemented legislative enhancements of AGOA. In 2015, Congress passed the Trade Preferences Extension Act (TPEA), updating and extending the program to September 30, 2025. AGOA trade preference benefits continue to help lower the cost of trade, encourage investment in the region, and help create valuable opportunities for U.S. businesses, workers, and consumers. AGOA has played an integral role in creating sustainable economic growth and development, poverty reduction, democracy, the rule of law, and stability in Sub-Saharan Africa and helped create 120,000 jobs in the United States and about one million direct and indirect positions across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The 8th Annual AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network Spring Conference took place on April 13, 2023, at George Washington (GW) University, and virtually. The event was organized in partnership with the Institute for African Studies, The Elliott School for International Affairs, at GW University, and virtually. The theme of the Spring Conference was Extending AGOA to 2035: Using Trade to Strengthen U.S.-Africa Strategic Alliances. The hybrid event featured high-level speakers from civil society organizations, private sector companies, and government institutions from the U.S. and Africa committed to expanding U.S. - Africa trade and economic cooperation. The conference will addressed the following topics:
AfrICANDO 2021/19th CSO Session of the AGOA Forum Speeches & Presentations:
| Currently 36 of the 49 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Countries are Eligible for AGOA Benefits
To read more, click on the links below: AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 - Summary AGOA Renewal and Improvement ACt of 2024 - Bill Speeches/Presentations Fred Oladeinde, President, The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) and Chair, AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network SecretariatAbdoulaye Dieye, CEO, Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) Honorable Angela Ellard, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization Daniel Cardona, Vice President, Florida Export Finance Corporation (FEFC) Dimitrios “Jimmy” Nares, Section Chief, Aviation Marketing, Miami-Dade Aviation Department Dave Peterson, Senior Director, Africa Program, National Endowment for Democracy Thomas T. Osobu, Founder & Executive Chairman, Jott Industries Nigeria Limited Miguel Olivares, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service Dr. Gloria McCutcheon, Chair and Professor of Biology/Biotechnology, Claflin University Nicholas Panasik, Associate Professor, Claflin University Honorable Frederica S. Wilson, Congresswoman (D FL 24th District) Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., Founder and Past President Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Check Out Our Publication !!! The Impact of COVID-19 on U.S. - Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation
Download Publications Here!!! |
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2021 Communique 19thMinisterial Session of the AGOA Forum Miami, Florida, USA On The Civil Society Organization (CSO) Session of the 2021 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum took place October 6-8, 2021, under the theme: The Impact of COVID-19 on US Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation: The Way Forward. The CSO Session was held jointly with the 22nd Annual US-Africa Trade and Investment Conference/Trade Show at the Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC), in Miami, Florida. The CSO Session of the 19th AGOA Forum was a hybrid event that brought together members of the AGOA CSO Network from venues in Miami, Florida; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); Lagos, Nigeria, and other AGOA eligible countries with virtual participation from the United States and Africa. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss solutions and provide input to areas critical to public and private sector stakeholders’ success on The Way Forward regarding the following issues:
Discussion Highlights: CSO Network Secretariat and its members published a policy white paper on The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on US-Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation - AGOA with recommendations and areas of concern for the Biden/Harris Administration and U.S. Congressional Leaders for action and implementation. To view the policy white paper visit www.agoacsonetwork.org/Publications. (Read more) |
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN
Dear President Biden:
The AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network would like to join the world in congratulating you and Vice President Kamala Harris on your historic victory in being elected the 46th President and the 49th Vice President of the United States (U.S.). Your election inspires hope for the kind of change that our country needs at this moment. We strongly believe that you have ascended to this global leadership position at a pivotal point in our nation’s history. And that you are uniquely positioned to drive home solutions that will change our approach to the COVID 19 pandemic, economic recession, civil and racial unrest, and development in Africa while restoring the United States’ standing in the world and ensuring our global prosperity.
Africa is strategically important to the United States because of its vast reserves of precious and strategic metals, crude oil, uncultivated arable land, and potential as a destination for U.S. investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges. A non-stop flight from Miami, Florida to Dakar, Senegal takes approximately 6 hours, 30 minutes, about the time it takes a non-stop flight from Miami to San Francisco (6 hours, 35 minutes); de-mystifying the existing mindset that Africa is too far from the United States. And Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.8 billion by 2060 from the current population of 1.26 billion. Currently, sixty-percent (60%) of Africa’s populace is below 35 years old with a growing middle class.
Strengthening trade and economic cooperation with Africa can only result in job creation on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, embed American economic interest, values, and goodwill in a region that is poised to take center stage of the world economy in the next two decades. Given Africa’s resources, its proximity to the United States, growing population and the existing cordial relationship between the American and African people, this is a deal that’s good for both America and Africa.
Since its enactment more than two decades ago, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been the cornerstone of U.S. economic engagement with the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and has helped to increase two-way trade between the U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa. (Read more)
