This report attempts to describe the origins, development, and implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Act represents the first trading agreement between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this paper, I explore the nature of the U.S.-SSA economic relationship, examine the nature of the opposition and support for the AGOA, and outline the challenges of the bill's implementation. The goal of this professional report is to highlight the outstanding promise of this legislation and demonstrate the need for a new, trade-oriented approach to development in Africa.
