14th January 2026
Ghana and the United States have initiated high-level discussions aimed at establishing a comprehensive trade cooperation framework as both countries prepare for a post-AGOA trade environment. The talks, held in Washington between Ghana’s Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, Ghana’s Ambassador to the US Victor Emmanuel Smith, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Lee Greer, signal a shift from reliance on unilateral trade preferences toward more structured and predictable bilateral arrangements.
Central to the discussions was Ghana’s proposal for a formal trade framework that goes beyond preferential market access to support industrial development, private sector growth, and long-term investment. This comes amid growing uncertainty following the scheduled expiration of AGOA on September 30, 2025, which previously enabled duty-free access for Ghanaian exports valued at about US$340 million in 2024.
Ghana highlighted the adverse impact of recent US tariff measures, noting that exporters now face tariffs of up to 15 percent on goods previously exempt under AGOA. Early 2025 data shows a sharp 45 percent decline in AGOA-related exports, with textiles, garments, cocoa derivatives, and light manufacturing particularly affected. While the US House Ways and Means Committee has approved a three-year AGOA extension, the Trump administration’s preference for a one-year extension continues to create uncertainty for African exporters and investors.
Beyond market access, Ghana emphasized the need for tariff flexibility and differential treatment to sustain its industrialization agenda. The discussions also addressed regulatory and investment concerns, including Ghana’s local content policies in the mining sector, standards compliance for US exports to Ghana, and the settlement of outstanding payments owed to American firms.
A key strategic element of Ghana’s pitch was its role within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By hosting the AfCFTA Secretariat and investing in trade infrastructure, Ghana positioned itself as a gateway for US firms seeking access to the wider African market. Both sides explored reviving the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) as a platform for structured dialogue, with agreement to exchange draft cooperation frameworks and timelines.
Overall, the engagement reflects Ghana’s broader economic diplomacy strategy—seeking to attract FDI, deepen trade ties, and reduce vulnerability to unilateral policy shifts—while aligning bilateral partnerships with continental integration goals under AfCFTA.