Kenya welcomes AGOA extension to 2028

Kenya has welcomed the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for an additional two years until December 31, 2028. The extension provides greater certainty for exporters, manufacturers, and investors, allowing Kenyan businesses to continue accessing the U.S. market with preferential treatment.

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui highlighted the importance of the extension for Kenya's textile and apparel industry, which directly employs over 66,000 people. Kinyanjui emphasized that the extension would provide businesses with more planning time for investments and production expansion.

AGOA, established in 2000, offers eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the U.S. market for thousands of products. The trade programme had expired on September 30, 2025, but a short-term extension kept the benefits until the end of 2026. This latest extension extends the favourable treatment to December 2028, giving exporters more time to plan and grow their operations.

Kenya's textile and apparel sector remains a significant beneficiary of AGOA, with most exports to the U.S. tied to this industry. Kinyanjui urged Kenya to leverage the extended period to diversify its export portfolio beyond apparel. The government identified value-added agricultural products, leather and leather products, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured goods as potential areas for increased exports.

The government pledged to collaborate with exporters and the private sector to maximize AGOA utilization and benefit more Kenyan enterprises from the U.S. market.

The extension is expected to support Kenya's industrialization and investment efforts, particularly in manufacturing and export processing sectors. The textile and apparel industry currently employs more than 66,000 individuals, with many workers in Export Processing Zones. Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam emphasized that the extension would also benefit agricultural exports, including cut flowers, tea, coffee, macadamia nuts, and avocados, which will continue to enjoy preferential access.

Ombam called for increased production, value addition, and strengthened value chains to capitalize on the opportunities offered under AGOA.

Additionally, Kenya will continue utilizing other regional trade frameworks, such as the East African Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the African Continental Free Trade Area, alongside AGOA. The Kenyan government has encouraged exporters and manufacturers to utilize the extended period to boost production, diversify their product offerings, and strengthen their presence in the U.S. market.