US Tariffs Tighten the Noose on Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya for Trading With Iran

Several African countries are already grappling with elevated US import tariffs under President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” trade policy, raising fresh risks for economies dependent on access to the American market. South Africa now faces tariffs of up to 30% on selected exports, while Nigeria is subject to 14–15%, Ghana 10–15%, and Kenya and Tanzania about 10%. Other African nations are affected by a baseline 10% duty.

The pressure intensifies for countries maintaining trade ties with Iran. Under new US measures, African economies including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia could face an additional 25% levy on all exports to the US, significantly eroding competitiveness.

This comes as Iran deepens its economic engagement with Africa. Iranian exports to the continent surged 77% year-on-year to $849 million between March and November 2025, with Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, and Somalia among its top partners. Nigeria alone trades about $125 million with Iran, exporting agricultural products and importing industrial and processed goods.

For South Africa, the impact could be severe despite limited direct trade with Iran. In 2024, the country exported $8.2 billion to the US, making sectors such as automotive and mining particularly vulnerable. The situation also threatens African access to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), whose eligibility is reviewed annually, even as a temporary extension to 2028 awaits final approval.

African governments now face a difficult choice: deepen diversification through Iran or protect preferential access to the US market.