Trump saves thousands of Kenyan jobs as Agoa extended to 2028
The extension provides relief to about 6,600 workers whose jobs were at risk amid uncertainty.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) has been extended by two years, allowing Kenyan textile workers to continue their employment until December 31, 2028. The extension, signed into law by President Donald Trump, provides duty-free access to the American market for Kenyan products, securing jobs for about 6,600 workers who were at risk due to uncertainty surrounding the trade arrangement.
The move has been welcomed by Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, who stated that the extension provides much-needed certainty for exporters and workers dependent on preferential access to the US market. The extension comes after a period of uncertainty that had already led to job losses and delayed investment in Kenya's export processing zones (EPZs).
Agoa, introduced in 2000, has been extended multiple times, most recently in 2025 before being temporarily restored in February 2026. The latest extension is particularly important for apparel manufacturers, as the majority of their production is destined for the US market. With the added time, manufacturers can secure orders, invest in machinery, and potentially expand their workforce.
Kenya's textile and apparel industry supports over 66,000 direct jobs and contributes to the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands through indirect employment and household incomes. The extension gives Kenyan exporters more time to benefit from preferential access to the world's largest consumer market and diversify their exports beyond apparel to generate more investment and employment.
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