Kenya has welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the United States, saying the move will provide much needed certainty for exporters, manufacturers and investors who depend on preferential access to the American market.
The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry said the decision by US President Donald Trump to sign the extension into law was significant for Kenya’s export sector.
The extension keeps AGOA in place through December 31, 2028, giving Kenyan businesses additional time to benefit from preferential access to the US market.
“This is a significant development for Kenya and provides much-needed certainty for exporters, manufacturers and investors who rely on preferential access to the United States market,” Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said.
The Government said the extension was particularly important for Kenya’s textile and apparel industry, one of the country’s biggest beneficiaries of AGOA.
According to the Ministry, the sector supports more than 66,000 direct jobs.
The Government now wants businesses to use the extended period to expand Kenya’s export basket and increase the range and value of products sold to the US.
Kinyanjui said Kenya has opportunities beyond textiles and apparel that could be leveraged to increase exports to the American market.
“Beyond apparel, our focus must now be on using this extended window to expand Kenya’s export basket and increase the range and value of products reaching the U.S. market,” he said.
The Government identified value added agricultural products, leather and leather products, pharmaceuticals and manufactured goods among areas with potential for increased exports.
It also said other competitive Kenyan products could benefit from greater access to the US market under the extended trade arrangement.
The Ministry said it would continue working with exporters and the private sector to increase utilisation of AGOA.
The focus will also be on ensuring that more Kenyan enterprises and value chains benefit from access to the American market.
The Government views AGOA as an important tool for supporting industrialisation, value addition, investment and employment creation.
“AGOA should therefore serve as a catalyst for Kenya's industrialisation, value addition, investment and job creation,” Kinyanjui said.
The extension comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its position in international markets and increase the contribution of exports to economic growth.
The Government’s strategy will involve encouraging more Kenyan enterprises to take advantage of the preferential market access while broadening the range of products exported to the US.
The Ministry said the additional period provided by the extension should be used to deepen Kenya’s engagement with the American market and expand opportunities for local producers.
For the textile and apparel sector, which has benefited significantly from AGOA, the extension provides additional certainty as manufacturers and exporters plan their operations.
The Government said it would continue supporting efforts to improve AGOA utilisation and ensure the benefits reach more businesses and workers across Kenya’s value chains.