The United States and Togo to co-host AGOA on August
By Houmi Ahamed-Mikidache
The United States of America and Togo will co-host the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Lome, Togo from Aug. 8-10. Senior government officials from the US and 38 Sub-Saharan African countries will discuss how to boost economic cooperation and trade between the US and Africa.“Patnering for prosperity through Trade” will be the theme of this event.
According to a press release, the 2017 Forum will explore how countries can continue to maximize the benefits of AGOA in a rapidly changing economic landscape, and highlight the important role played by women, civil society, and the private sector in promoting trade, expanding inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and generating prosperity. Since 2000, the US government works on AGOA with sub-Saharan Africa. Following the AGOA law, a special Forum has to be convened each year to analyze issues related to the implementation of the law and issues of economic cooperation and trade.
In the past few years AGOA forum was organized in Mauritius, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Gabon. This year, the forum will be led by U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer and include senior officials from the U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Labor, Transportation, Treasury, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, as well as the National Security Council, Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, the Small Business Administration, and the United States African Development Fund. Members of Congress from both parties will also attend the Forum.
