Kenya Welcomes Proposed AGOA Extension to 2028
Kenya has welcomed a proposed extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to December 31, 2028, saying the move would provide exporters with greater certainty and strengthen trade relations between Kenya and the United States. The announcement was made in a statement by the Ministry of Trade, which noted that the proposed extension had already secured approval from the US Senate and was awaiting consideration by the House of Representatives.
AGOA, which provides eligible African countries with preferential access to the US market, lapsed on September 30, 2025, before being extended in February 2026 to December 31, 2026. The further extension through 2028, if approved, would give Kenyan exporters a longer period to plan investments, expand production, and strengthen their position in the US market without uncertainty over tariffs.
Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam said the extension presents an important opportunity for Kenya to maintain duty-free access to the US market and expand the presence of Kenyan products. She particularly highlighted the importance of the arrangement to Kenya's agricultural sector. "The continuity would particularly support agricultural exports by maintaining tariff-free access for premium Kenyan products, including cut flowers, tea, coffee and macadamia nuts," she said.
Ombam spoke on Thursday in Nairobi during the Kenya-US Agriculture, Trade and Investment Roundtable, organised through the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). The meeting brought together senior US agricultural leaders and representatives from Kenya's public and private sectors to discuss opportunities for deeper cooperation between the two countries. Discussions focused on agriculture, trade and investment, value addition, market access, food systems, and opportunities for enhanced collaboration.
Ombam said Kenya had significant potential to increase its agricultural exports, particularly in tea, coffee, flowers, nuts, and avocados. She called for greater market access and increased investment in value addition to boost export earnings. She also pointed to Kenya's membership in the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an advantage, giving access to wider markets and strengthening its position as a gateway for trade and investment in Africa.
The government reiterated its focus on climate-resilient agriculture and the development of competitive and sustainable agricultural value chains. According to the 2025 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey, apparel exports under AGOA rose 19 per cent to Sh60.6 billion in 2024, from Sh50.8 billion in 2023. The apparel sector under AGOA supports more than 66,000 direct jobs, particularly in Export Processing Zones (EPZs).