The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Prosper Africa, a U.S. government Presidential-level national security initiative has hosted the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) workshop to empower Nigerian businesses to benefit from U.S. market opportunities.

The workshop held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, was hosted in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria and key Nigerian government institutions.

AGOA, according to the organisers, is a programme that allows eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa to export 6,800 different products to the United States without paying tariffs or facing limits on the amount they can export.

Speaking at the workshop for the apparel and textile sector, USAID Nigeria Mission Director Melissa A. Jones said: “Diversifying Nigeria’s export base away from crude oil is extremely important if the country is to shield its economy from the volatility it currently suffers.

“Nigeria is a critical partner in U.S.-Africa trade and this AGOA workshop represents a unique opportunity for Nigerian businesses to increase their presence in the U.S. market.”

U.S. Consul General Will Stevens urged the participants to take full advantage of the preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

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“We remain as committed as ever to the goal of creating the necessary conditions for a long-term, durable trade and investment relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria,” Stevens added.

The two-day workshop, organised in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), provided valuable training to export-ready Nigerian businesses. It focused on businesses in the agriculture, manufacturing, textile, and apparel sectors, and had in attendance customs and trade officials.

Over 200 participants learned about the requirements for benefiting from AGOA, strategies for export growth, and practical guidance on improving the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian exports.

They also received practical guidance on navigating the U.S. market, enhancing trade capacity, and the benefits of strengthening trade relations between Nigeria and the United States.

The Star