Top 10 African countries the U.S. could profit most from through increased tariffs

President Donald Trump proposed significant tariff increases in April 2025, imposing a 10% duty on most imports and higher rates for some nations. This policy move has the potential to significantly affect economies in Africa, including those benefiting from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Tariffs threaten an estimated $8 billion in African exports to the United States, damaging decades of commercial partnerships.

According to a recent report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Donald Trump's new tariff policy has significant costs for emerging and vulnerable economies, including Least Developed Countries, regarding international commerce and access to the US market.

"Many African countries, for instance, have benefited from preferential market access through initiatives like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), while small economies involved in U.S. free trade agreements contribute only negligibly to the U.S. trade deficit," the report states.

"Imposing tariffs on their exports would not contribute to boost U.S. revenue collection, but it would disproportionately harm these vulnerable economies," it adds.

Despite having access to the U.S. market, many African nations export a limited selection of commodities. This lack of variety impedes the full use of trade preferences and reduces economic resilience.

Even with tariff waivers, African exporters frequently face logistical hurdles, stringent quality requirements, and complicated laws, making it tough to compete in the US.

"The contribution to the United States trade deficit from small and Least Developed Countries included in the 57 trading partners is marginal," UNCTAD's report reveals.

"For instance, 28 of these trading partners each contribute less than 0.1 per cent of the total United States deficit.

However, imposing 'reciprocal tariffs' on them will disproportionately affect their ability to export to the U.S. market," it adds.

With that said, here are the 10 African countries that offer the highest potential increase in United States revenues from reciprocal tariffs.

Top 10 African countries the U.S. could profit most from through increased tariffs