Kenya Welcomes US Senate Approval of AGOA Extension

The Kenyan government has welcomed the United States Senate's approval of extending the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). CS Investments, Trade and Industry Development Lee Kinyanjui announced in a statement on August 13, 2026, that the extension would provide greater certainty for Kenyan exporters looking to access the US market.

The extension would grant duty-free access to eligible Sub-Saharan African exports through December 31, 2028. Kinyanjui emphasized that the extension would be significant for Kenya's economy, particularly the apparel sector, which accounts for about 70 percent of Kenya's total exports to the US. The extension would secure predictability for Kenyan manufacturers and exporters, allowing businesses to continue accessing the US market without the burden of tariffs.

Kenya has used AGOA as a platform to promote industrialization, expand exports, and create jobs, with the apparel industry being one of the major beneficiaries. The Ministry stated that the third-country fabric provision would also continue under the extension, allowing companies in Kenya's Export Processing Zones to source raw materials from non-AGOA countries, add value locally, and export finished garments duty-free.

In 2024, Kenya's apparel exports under AGOA reached Sh60.6 billion (approximately US$470 million), marking a 19 percent increase from the previous year. The sector supports over 66,000 direct jobs in Kenya. The government assured that the extension would ensure that investments made in EPZs continue to generate economic returns.

Additionally, AGOA has supported Kenya's agricultural exports to the US, including cut flowers, tea, coffee, and macadamia nuts. The government expressed its commitment to working with exporters to facilitate the filing of refund requests for duties paid during the gap between the previous AGOA expiration and the enactment of the new legislation.