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 enterprises (SMEs), 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. On January 17, 2003, one hundred and two (102) Civil Society Organization (CSO) participants from the United States and Africa attending the AGOA Civil Society Forum in Phoenix, Mauritius, established the AGOA Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network. The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) and the Mauritius Council of Social Services were appointed co-chairs and tasked with establishing and managing the AGOA CSO Network's Secretariat. The Network’s Secretariat was mandated to prepare for subsequent Civil Society Sessions of the AGOA Forum. Since its inception, FDA has been the driving force in managing the AGOA CSO Network. FDA’s steadfast commitment has been evident in its leadership and proactive involvement in AGOA legislative reforms and reauthorization since its enactment in 2000. The AGOA CSO Network focuses on increasing the volume and quality of African exports under AGOA while educating stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean on this trade policy and how U.S. and African SMEs can maximize its benefits.
SPEECHES/PRESENTATIONS H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the United States Ambassador John Kayode Shinkaiye, Chairman of JKS and Associates Ltd. and
Trade-Related Presidential Actions America First Trade Policy ● The White House January 20, 2025 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/america-first-trade-policy/
Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits Executive Order ● The White House ● April 2, 2025 Fact Sheet President Donald J. Trump Declares National Emergency to Increase our Competitive Edge, Protect our Sovereignty, and Strengthen our National and Economic Security The White House ● April 2, 2025
2025 National Trade Estimate Report on FOREIGN TRADE BARRIERS of the President of the United States on the Trade Agreements Program 2025NTE.pdf (click link)
A panel discussion on The Why, How, and When of AGOA Reauthorization and Enhancement and a Reception were held in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, CVC 217, South Congressional Meeting Room, First Street SE, Washington, DC, from 2:00 -4:00 pm the same day.
21st U.S. -Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum The AGOA Forum took place July 24-26, 2024, at the U.S. State Department and select venues throughout Washington, DC. The theme was Beyond 2025: Reimagining AGOA for an Inclusive, sustainable, and Prosperous Tomorrow. The agenda included an African Trade Ministers’ Consultative meeting, a Private Sector, a Civil Society and Organized Labor gathering, and the Ministerial Session. Chairman Oladeinde participated in Session #4 of the Civil Society meeting and was privileged to be accredited to attend the Ministerial Session at the State Department.
To read more, click on the links below: AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 - Summary AGOA Renewal and Improvement ACt of 2024 - Bill
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 32 of the 49 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Countries are Eligible for AGOA Benefits
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
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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) |