US tariffs April 2026 updates: the implications for Africa

In February 2025, the US introduced tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In February 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled that these tariffs were unconstitutional, saying the law had been used beyond its intended emergency purpose.

In this article, our experts dive into this developing story and explore its impacts on the African continent.

Changes may happen at any moment and businesses are advised to seek expert help before making any decisions.

US tariffs in 2026

After the previous 2025 tariffs were ruled unconstitutional, a new general tariff of 10% was introduced, along with additional tariffs for certain industries such as metals and lumber. This took effect on 24 February and is due to run until 24 July, although there are signals it could increase to 15%.

AGOA (the African Growth and Opportunity Act which provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products) was extended until 31 December 2026 and signed into law on 3 February. However, the extension is short term and does not remove the 10% surcharge. This limits its value for long term investment planning.

These changes reflect how global trade works and how companies manage costs. As experts have explained, most of the cost impact stays within the US as it is mostly US customers further down the consumption line who wound up bearing the cost for this raise. Companies either absorb the cost themselves, pass it on to customers, or share the burden across both.

In April 2026, further tariff changes were introduced, especially in the pharmaceutical sector, “to protect US interests”, according to a White House communiqué.

At the same time, a new US EU tariff agreement of around 15% is being finalised.

How about Africa?

For African countries, the situation is mixed. The removal of the earlier tariffs brought some relief, as many countries returned to the standard 10% rate that was imposed. South Africa, for example, is no longer facing the higher rates imposed in 2025. However, this does not restore the benefits previously available under AGOA. Since these changes have been made, however, exports under AGOA have already declined.

The US EU agreement creates another challenge. Preferential terms between major economies can make it harder for African exporters to compete on price, especially in manufacturing sectors. This adds to existing trade barriers and limits growth beyond raw material exports.

The practical impact for Africa

A key issue is uncertainty. Tariff rules are changing quickly, and this makes long term planning difficult. Investors are less likely to commit when trade conditions can shift at short notice.

For businesses operating across Africa, the impact is practical:

• Supply chains linked to US pharmaceuticals are likely to become more expensive
• Export focused industries such as apparel and automotive may need to rethink their reliance on the US market
• Healthcare benefits that depend on imported medicines may see rising costs, which could affect employers, insurers, or employees

A deeper look into the legal and policy changes

Pharmaceutical tariffs

On 2 April 2026, the US introduced a 100% tariff on patented pharmaceutical products and ingredients, citing national security concerns.

These tariffs will apply after 120 days for large companies and 180 days for smaller ones. Some companies can avoid the tariff if they agree to US pricing conditions and commit to local production.

Countries such as the EU, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein face a 15% tariff, while the UK has negotiated a lower rate. Countries without agreements face the full 100% rate.

For Africa, direct exports of pharmaceuticals to the US are limited, so the immediate trade impact is small. However, the indirect effects are more important. Many African healthcare systems rely on imported medicines. If global prices rise, the cost will likely be passed down to employers, insurers, or individuals.

In many African countries, medicines make up a large share of health spending, and many people pay out of pocket. Even small price increases can have a significant impact.

China strengthens its trade ties with Africa

At the same time, China has moved to strengthen trade ties with Africa. From May 2026, it plans to remove tariffs on imports from 53 African countries and speed up customs processes. Trade between China and Africa continues to grow, although much of it is still focused on raw materials.

Despite AGOA being in place for many years, Africa’s share of exports to the US has fallen significantly. There are encouraging signs of growth in intra-African trade, supported by AfCFTA.

What next?

Overall, the situation in April 2026 is still evolving. While some tariffs have been removed, new ones have been introduced. AGOA provides limited short-term support, but not the stability needed for long term planning. The pharmaceutical tariffs are likely to increase costs over time.

For employers and businesses across Africa, the key takeaway is clear. Relying too heavily on any single market carries risk. Trade access can change quickly, and strategies need to be flexible enough to adapt.

Choose a trusted African partner

If your business is navigating cost pressures, workforce planning, or cross border operations across Africa, Africa HR Solutions can help you stay compliant, manage payroll, and support your teams on the ground through the highs and lows of expansion.

To find out how we can best help you, get in touch with one of our consultants today.