NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by a further three years, describing the move as a critical boost to exports, jobs, and long-term trade relations with the United States.
In a statement issued on January 14, the Trade Ministry said the extension, passed by the United States House of Representatives, marks a significant milestone in U.S.–Africa trade relations.
“The United States House of Representatives has passed a Bill to extend AGOA for a further three years, marking a critical milestone in U.S.-Africa trade relations,” Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said.
The government noted that in Kenya, the textile and apparel sector, particularly firms operating within Export Processing Zones (EPZs), employs more than 80,000 people directly and an estimated 250,000 indirectly.
Officials said the extension would revive investor confidence and support sector expansion.
“The uncertainty that had previously engulfed the sector will now give way to renewed confidence and expansion,” Kinyanjui said.
Beyond textiles, the government said it intends to expand Kenya’s export basket under the AGOA framework to include additional products, in line with its broader industrialisation and export-led growth strategy.
“As a Ministry, we aim to grow exports of additional products under the AGOA framework beyond textiles, ensuring that Kenya fully leverages this opportunity to create jobs and generate wealth,” Kinyanjui said.
During President William Ruto’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., Kenya formally requested enhanced market access to the U.S. market.
According to the ministry, discussions covered Kenya’s key exports, including textiles and apparel, coffee, tea, horticultural products, and tourism services.
“Expanding our export basket remains a key priority and aligns with our broader strategic economic agenda,” the ministry said.
AGOA, enacted in 2000, provides eligible African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products.
Kenya has been one of the programme’s largest beneficiaries, particularly in apparel manufacturing.
