President Obama reinstated Madagascar’s AGOA eligibility in June 2014, after nearly five years of AGOA suspension following the coup in 2009. The decision recognized Madagascar’s return to democratic rule, as well as President Rajaonarimampianina's commitment to promote transparency, combat corruption, and rebuild Madagascar's economy. From 2001-2009, Madagascar was a top exporter to the U.S. under AGOA, averaging $312M a year in exports.

 

Madagascar has roared back to action since AGOA reinstatement. It received the Federal Register Board’s re-activation of the apparel visa in December 2014. In the first two months of 2015, three companies exported nearly $2 million of apparel. In the third month, another three companies joined to bring the export total to more than $3 million.

Groupement des Entreprises Franches et Partenaires (GEFP – Association of Free Trade Zone Enterprise and Partners) anticipates that AGOA reinstatement will bring 80,000 new jobs, with potential to increase up to 200,000 new jobs.

 

The USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (the Hub) promotes two-way trade with the U.S. under AGOA and facilitates investment and technology to drive East African trade growth intra-regionally and to global markets.

 

The Hub is the U.S. Government’s flagship project under the Trade Africa initiative.