Mauritius Secures 1 Year AGOA Renewal as Trump Prepares To Sign Trade Deal

Mauritian exporters are breathing a collective sigh of relief following the confirmed renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The extension, which is retroactive to 30 September 2025, secures continued preferential trade access to the United States for the island nation’s vital export sector.

The legislative text is now bound for the White House, where US President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure into law.

A hard-fought victory

The Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) has hailed the development as a major breakthrough after months of uncertainty.

Lilowtee Rajmun Joosery, Director of MEXA, described the renewal as a “huge sigh of relief,” noting that it follows a long and arduous campaign spearheaded by the association to protect the interests of local manufacturers.

Shift towards bilateral strategy

Despite the immediate victory, industry leaders warn against complacency. MEXA has stressed that the extension is currently set for a one-year period, signaling that “the work has only just begun.”

To ensure long-term economic stability, the association is now urging the Mauritian government to enter into close collaboration to negotiate a permanent bilateral trade agreement with the United States.

“The focus must now shift toward securing a more sustainable partnership beyond the current AGOA framework,” a MEXA representative indicated.

Source: Defi Media