Trade relations between the US and Africa face fresh uncertainty as Washington reassesses its economic ties with the continent. Business Insider Africa examines 19 African countries and their trade figures with the US in 2025, highlighting the value of bilateral trade, major shifts in exports and imports, and the countries running trade surpluses or deficits.
- US-Africa trade faces turmoil as Washington reevaluates key economic and diplomatic ties, pressuring market access for African exporters.
- Nineteen African countries, including South Africa and Rwanda, are becoming ineligible for AGOA, further clouding prospects for commercial relationships with the U.S.
- Trade statistics reveal a mix of rising deficits, declining surpluses, and shrinking trade volumes between the U.S. and several African partners as eligibility changes loom.
- Underlying these trade decisions are U.S. concerns over issues ranging from trade barriers to human rights and labour practices.
Trade relations between the United States and Africa have come under increasing pressure as Washington reassesses its economic and diplomatic ties with countries across the continent.
One of the biggest areas of concern is the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US trade programme established in 2000 to give eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to thousands of products in the American market.
However, that access is increasingly uncertain. The United States has moved to terminate South Africa and Rwanda’s eligibility for AGOA, threatening their preferential access to the world’s largest economy, from January 1, 2027.
The decision carries potential consequences beyond government relations. South Africa’s removal, for instance, could put as many as 10,000 jobs at risk and increase costs across the American citrus supply chain, according to industry and labour representatives.
Meanwhile, Washington has raised concerns about trade barriers, human rights, workers’ rights and national security in its decisions concerning both countries.
Here are 19 African countries that are ineligible for U.S. AGOA trade in 2027:
1) South Africa
In 2025, total trade in goods and services between the U.S. and South Africa reached $28.8 billion, marking a 10.1% increase ($2.6 billion) from 2024. U.S. exports to South Africa rose to $10.3 billion, while imports from the country increased to $18.5 billion. The U.S. recorded an estimated $8.3 billion trade deficit with South Africa, reflecting a widening gap compared to the previous year.
2) Rwanda
In 2025, total trade in goods and services between the U.S. and Rwanda reached $333.4 million, marking an 8.1% decline ($29.5 million) from 2024. U.S. exports to Rwanda fell to $195.1 million, while imports from the country rose to $138.3 million. The U.S. recorded a $56.8 million overall trade surplus with Rwanda, down from the previous year.
3) Burkina Faso
In 2025, U.S. trade with Burkina Faso fell 12.1% to $171.2 million, down $23.7 million from the previous year. Despite the decline in overall trade, U.S. exports rose to $133.2 million, while imports from Burkina Faso stood at $38.1 million, leaving Washington with a trade surplus of approximately $95.1 million.
4) Cameroon
Trade between the U.S. and Cameroon edged up 1.7% to $704.6 million in 2025, an increase of $11.9 million from 2024. U.S. imports from Cameroon climbed 16.3% to $357.3 million, while exports declined to $347.3 million. The shift left the U.S. with an overall trade deficit of approximately $10.1 million, reversing its surplus position in 2024.
5) Burundi
In 2025, total trade in goods and services between the U.S. and Burundi reached $73.5 million, down 3.3% ($2.5 million) from 2024. U.S. exports to Burundi fell to $27.4 million, while imports from the country rose to $46.1 million. The U.S. recorded an estimated $18.7 million overall trade deficit with Burundi, compared with a surplus in goods trade in 2024.
6) Uganda
Trade between the U.S. and Uganda declined 2.3% to approximately $1.1 billion in 2025, down $26.5 million from 2024. U.S. goods imports from Uganda surged 50.3% to $198.5 million, while services exports to the East African country fell 18.9% to $382 million. The U.S. recorded an overall trade deficit of approximately $142.1 million.
7) Zimbabwe
U.S. trade with Zimbabwe increased 19.8% to $510.6 million in 2025, an $84.2 million rise from the previous year. The growth was driven largely by services exports, which climbed 29.3% to $291 million, while goods imports from Zimbabwe rose 19.3% to $79.8 million. The U.S. maintained an overall trade surplus of approximately $149.1 million.
8) Gabon
Trade between the U.S. and Gabon nearly doubled in 2025, surging 96.3% to $835.6 million, an increase of $409.8 million from 2024. The jump was largely driven by a 252.2% increase in U.S. goods imports from Gabon, which reached $603.1 million. The development widened the U.S. overall trade deficit with the Central African country to approximately $428.6 million.
9) Central African Republic
U.S. trade with the Central African Republic declined 9.7% to $67.2 million in 2025, down $7.2 million from the previous year. Goods exports fell 41% to $14.2 million, while services exports rose 2.9% to $36 million. The U.S. recorded an overall trade surplus of approximately $33.1 million.
10) Sudan
Trade between the U.S. and Sudan fell 7.8% to $211.1 million in 2025, a decline of $17.8 million from 2024. U.S. goods exports to Sudan dropped 32.6% to $37.6 million, while services exports edged down 1% to $96 million. Despite the decline in trade, the U.S. maintained an overall trade surplus of approximately $56.1 million.
11) Guinea
U.S. trade with Guinea rose 19.2% to $287.3 million in 2025, supported by a 40.2% jump in American goods exports to $196.6 million. The U.S. recorded an overall trade surplus of about $226 million, with goods and services both in surplus.
12) Equatorial Guinea
Trade between the U.S. and Equatorial Guinea fell 14% to $251.7 million in 2025, as goods exports and imports declined. The U.S. recorded a goods trade deficit of $11.4 million but maintained a $48 million surplus in services.
13) Eritrea
U.S. trade with Eritrea dropped sharply by 50.7% to $31.8 million in 2025, largely reflecting an 89.9% plunge in goods exports to $4.6 million. Services trade held up better, with exports unchanged at $14 million, while imports of services surged 225% to $13 million.
14) Seychelles
U.S. trade with Seychelles edged up 5% to $198 million in 2025, as growth in goods and services exchanges lifted total trade. The U.S. recorded a $15.4 million surplus in goods but an $80 million deficit in services, leaving it with an overall trade deficit.
15) Ethiopia
Trade between the U.S. and Ethiopia increased 3.5% to $4.5 billion in 2025, despite a sharp rise in Ethiopian goods exports to the American market, which climbed 123.3% to $1 billion. The U.S. maintained a $396.4 million goods surplus, while its services deficit narrowed significantly to $131 million.
16) Somalia
U.S. trade with Somalia declined 18.7% to $170.4 million in 2025, as services exports and imports both fell by about a quarter. Goods exports remained broadly stable at $49.7 million, while the U.S. retained a modest overall trade surplus.
17) Niger
In 2025, total trade in goods and services between the U.S. and Niger reached $101.7 million, marking a 29.9% decline ($43.4 million) from 2024. U.S. exports to Niger fell to $54.6 million, while imports from the country declined to $47.1 million. The U.S. recorded a $7.5 million trade surplus with Niger, significantly lower than the previous year.
18) South Sudan
In 2025, total trade in goods and services between the U.S. and South Sudan reached $132 million, marking a 33.6% decline ($66.9 million) from 2024. U.S. exports to South Sudan fell to $95.8 million, while imports from the country declined to $36.2 million. The U.S. recorded a $59.6 million trade surplus with South Sudan, down from the previous year.
19) Mali
In 2025, total trade in goods and services between the U.S. and Mali reached $235.6 million, down 19.9% ($58.5 million) from 2024. U.S. exports to Mali fell to $146 million, while imports from the country declined to $89.6 million. The U.S. recorded a $56.4 million trade surplus with Mali, down from a larger surplus the previous year.
