This week marks the beginning of the process for the US Congress to review the eligibility of countries for benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Under the Act, certain African countries gain duty-free access to the US market which is understood to be key in building the exports for these countries. According to Business Leadership South Africa, billions of rands of economic activity in the country along with ten thousands of jobs depend on these exports. However, the recent entanglements South Africa has found itself in, especially with regards to its relationship with Russia, has left its relationship with the United States on uncertain grounds. With the AGOA Review taking form, both South Africa’s eligibility and possibility for a renewal hang in the balance. Post-doctoral Research Fellow at UJ’s Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation Dr Siphumelele Duma joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.