Nigeria-United States Relations in the Era of AGOA: Trade Opportunities and Barriers for Anambra State Exporters

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a unilateral United States trade preference program providing eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the American market, represents one of the most significant frameworks shaping Nigeria-US economic relations. Despite AGOA's potential, Nigeria's utilization of the program has been dominated by oil exports, with non-oil sectors, including the manufacturing and agro-processing industries prevalent in Anambra State, capturing a disproportionately small share of available market access benefits. This study examines the structural barriers and institutional enablers that determine Anambra State's capacity to leverage AGOA provisions for non-oil export growth, with data collected between 2021 and 2024. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining enterprise survey data from 100 manufacturing and agro-processing firms in the Onitsha and Nnewi industrial clusters with interviews of trade promotion officials, customs agents, and US diplomatic representatives in Nigeria. Trade theory and institutional economics frame the analytical approach. Findings reveal that while awareness of AGOA exists among larger export-oriented firms, compliance with US non-tariff requirements, including sanitary and phytosanitary standards and rules of origin documentation, remains prohibitive for small and medium-sized enterprises. Infrastructure gaps, particularly unreliable power supply and port logistics inefficiencies, add significant compliance costs. The study recommends targeted technical assistance for AGOA compliance, investment in export infrastructure, and enhanced US-Nigeria bilateral dialogue on non-oil trade facilitation as prerequisites for unlocking Anambra's export potential. Keywords: AGOA, Nigeria-US relations, trade barriers, Anambra State, non-oil exports