Fourteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) enhanced trade between the U.S. and Africa by providing duty-free access. However, very few studies examine the impact of agricultural exports to the U.S. Using dynamic shift-share analysis, this study evaluates potential impact of AGOA on U.S. export growth for four major aggregate commodity groups – bulk, consumer, intermediate and ag-related. The performance of AGOA on export growth is empirically examined by comparing pre-AGOA (1980-200), post-AGOA (2000-2019), and complete time-period (1980-2019). The results suggest member countries’ exports have grown from a deficit of $436 million pre-AGOA to $1,487 million in Post-AGOA. Bulk commodities contributed the most, $754 million, consumer was responsible for $417 million while intermediate, and ag-related contributed $249 million, and $67 million, respectively.