The Kenya Association of Manufacturers has welcomed the 16-month extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), ensuring continued preferential access for Kenyan products to the US market, safeguarding jobs, and strengthening bilateral trade ties.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has welcomed the 16-month retrospective extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a move that secures preferential access for Kenyan goods to the United States and provides continuity for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
AGOA, a US trade initiative designed to support Sub-Saharan African exporters, has historically contributed to Kenya’s socio-economic development by facilitating exports, creating jobs, and generating foreign exchange. The extension allows Kenyan businesses to continue benefiting from duty-free access while aligning trade policies with broader economic, political, and social objectives.
Kenya-US trade under AGOA
The United States remains one of Kenya’s most important trading partners, accounting for roughly 9% of the country’s external market. In 2025, Kenya exported goods worth $788.6 million to the US, while imports from the US reached $930.8 million. Since the year 2000, the US has recorded a cumulative trade surplus of $1.7 billion with Kenya, exporting $13.3 billion in goods while importing $11.6 billion.
Through AGOA, Sub-Saharan African countries—including Kenya—have benefited from economic development, job creation, foreign exchange earnings, poverty reduction, and strengthened governance structures. In Kenya alone, AGOA has contributed to the employment of approximately 68,000 people, supporting nearly 700,000 dependents across households.
Conditions and compliance
The AGOA extension requires Kenya to continue meeting eligibility standards, which include progress toward a market-based economy, adherence to the rule of law, political pluralism, respect for due process, and the elimination of trade barriers. Member countries must also implement policies that reduce poverty, combat corruption, and protect human rights.
KAM highlighted that compliance with these conditions ensures that Kenyan exporters remain competitive while maintaining alignment with international trade norms.
Call for Kenya-US bilateral agreement
While welcoming the extension, KAM urged the governments of Kenya and the United States to fast-track negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, providing a long-term and sustainable framework that builds on the gains achieved through AGOA.
“KAM has consistently led private sector engagement with the Government of Kenya and partners in the United States to secure AGOA’s extension,” said Tobias Alando, Chief Executive of KAM. “We appreciate the Government of Kenya, led by H.E. President Ruto, for advancing these negotiations and look forward to continued collaboration to ensure sustained mutual benefits for both Kenyan and American stakeholders.”
Strategic significance for Kenya
Industry analysts say the AGOA extension is particularly timely, given the global economic uncertainties and the need for Kenyan exporters to diversify markets. Continued access to the US market provides certainty for manufacturers, agribusinesses, and other export-oriented sectors, enabling them to plan investments, expand production, and safeguard employment.
By retaining preferential access, Kenya can also leverage AGOA to support the country’s industrialisation agenda, promote value addition, and enhance competitiveness in global markets.
Private sector leadership
KAM’s active role in advocating for AGOA highlights the importance of private sector participation in shaping trade policy. The association has coordinated engagements between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and international partners to safeguard the interests of Kenyan exporters while fostering long-term bilateral economic ties.
“With the AGOA extension in place, and with a prospective Kenya-US bilateral agreement, Kenyan businesses can look forward to stability, market certainty, and opportunities for growth in the North American market,” Mr. Alando added.
As negotiations continue, Kenyan manufacturers and exporters are expected to leverage the extended AGOA window to strengthen market share, scale production, and deepen engagement with US buyers.
