Africa’s Top Garment Exporter Could Fold Under US Tariffs, Minister Warns

The tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho—Africa’s leading garment exporter to the U.S.—is on the brink of economic collapse after the Trump administration imposed staggering 50% tariffs on its textile exports. Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile called the move a “national disaster,” with factories already shuttering and 40,000 jobs at risk in a country where textiles account for 90% of manufacturing exports .

Why Lesotho Was Singled Out
Lesotho’s economy thrives on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. trade program granting duty-free access for qualifying nations. The sudden 50% tariff—the highest globally under Trump’s new policy—has baffled officials, especially since the White House cited “reciprocal” 99% tariffs on U.S. goods, a claim Lesotho disputes .

Human Toll

• Factory closures: Major producers like Afri-Expo have halted U.S.-bound production lines, leaving sewing machines idle .
• Worker despair: Garment worker Limpho Lefalatsa lost her job after 12 years, unable to afford her daughter’s school fees or grandmother’s medicine .
• Health crisis: HIV/AIDS programs, previously funded by USAID cuts, face further strain as unemployment spikes .

Broader African Impact
The tariffs undermine AGOA’s legacy, which boosted African manufacturing by allowing third-country fabric inputs. Madagascar (47% tariff) and Mauritius (40%) also face severe losses, while South Africa’s auto sector braces for 30% tariffs . Analysts warn the U.S. risks destabilizing economies it once sought to uplift .

What’s Next?
Lesotho is scrambling to diversify exports to the EU and African continental markets, but Minister Shelile admits, “The 50% tariff could kill our textile sector” . With AGOA set to expire in September 2025, hopes for a reprieve are fading