Leading apparel manufacturers and retail buyers, government officials, business associations, and diplomats gathered at the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana on April 29 for a reception on the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the upcoming pan-African apparel trade show, Source Africa, to be held in Cape Town June 9-11.

The reception was co-hosted by USAID and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) through the Southern Africa Trade Hub, in close cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana. Speakers from USAID, USTR, MGF Sourcing, and Source Africa provided insight and comments on the ongoing AGOA renewal process while encouraging participation and attendance at the upcoming Source Africa trade show in South Africa.

In attendance were African Ambassadors from SADC (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia), the Charge d'affaires from Madagascar, and the Assistant United States Trade Representative for Africa Flori Liser, as well as representatives from the White House, the National Security Council, the United States Trade Development Agency, and the World Bank. Under Armour, Ralph Lauren, the American Apparel and Footwear Association, and the United States Fashion Institute of America attended from the textiles and apparel industry.