By OBAKENG MAJE
3 November 2026 – The African National Congress (ANC) has rejected the United States administration’s announcement that South Africa will lose its eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from 1 January 2027, saying the decision will not force the country to abandon its economic transformation agenda. In a statement, the ANC said it would not allow economic pressure to dictate South Africa’s foreign policy or undermine efforts to address the injustices of colonialism and apartheid.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said the party argued that AGOA provides preferential tariff access to the US market and that its withdrawal does not mean South African businesses will be completely shut out of the American market or that the country’s economy will collapse. Bhengu said, however, the ANC acknowledged that the government must take steps to protect affected workers and industries, strengthen local production and expand access to alternative international markets.
“We would also like to defend land reform, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) and employment equity and describe them as democratic instruments aimed at addressing historical economic inequalities,” she said.
Bhengu said abandoning these transformation policies would reinforce the economic legacy of apartheid and undermine the gains achieved through political freedom. The party further criticised AfriForum, Solidarity and the Democratic Alliance (DA), accusing them of campaigning against transformation policies and contributing to international pressure on South Africa.
“We would like to raise concerns about the timing of the US announcement, which coincided with the special voting period ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. The timing, together with what it described as economic misinformation raised concerns about possible attempts to intimidate voters and undermine democratic choices.
“South Africa’s history of resistance, the Freedom Charter and the Constitution required the country to defend its sovereignty, equality and economic justice. Despite its criticism of the US decision, we remain committed to diplomacy and mutually beneficial trade relations with the United States,” she added.
Bhengu said they support diplomacy and mutually beneficial trade with the United States.
“We will not surrender transformation for preferential market access. We maintain that the withdrawal of AGOA benefits would not bring an end to our pursuit of economic emancipation. AGOA may be withdrawn, but our struggle for economic emancipation will continue.
“We will not be bullied,” said Bhengu.
