On paper, Botswana enjoys privileged access to the American market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a cornerstone of Washington’s trade policy toward sub-Saharan Africa. In practice, officials here say, the pathway is narrower than it appears.
Chief Negotiator at Botswana’s ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Phazha Butale, argues that while the zero-tariff policy under AGOA may be low, the regulatory terrain is anything but. “There are hidden rules and processes that producers, businesspeople, exporters — and by extension Africa — must comply with,” he said, noting that complying with them imposes a significant financial burden.
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