Kenya has welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to December 31, 2028, saying the move will provide greater certainty for exporters, manufacturers, and investors while opening opportunities to expand the country’s presence in the United States market.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, highlighted that the extension presents Kenya with an opportunity to increase exports, attract investment, and accelerate industrialisation, particularly through diversification and value addition.
“The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to sign into law the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through December 31, 2028, is highly welcome,” expressed Kinyanjui in a statement issued Friday.
He noted that the extension was particularly significant for Kenya’s textile and apparel industry, which supports more than 66,000 direct jobs and remains one of the country’s biggest beneficiaries of preferential access to the US market under AGOA.
The CS, however, stressed that Kenya should use the extended period to move beyond apparel and expand the range of products exported to the US.
“We have significant opportunities in value-added agricultural products, leather and leather products, pharmaceuticals, manufactured goods, and other competitive Kenyan products,” he stated.
According to the CS, the Government’s renewed focus on diversification is aimed at enabling Kenyan producers to tap into new markets while increasing the value generated from exports.
In addition, Kinyanjui mentioned that the extended AGOA window should be used to strengthen the capacity of local enterprises and value chains to compete in the international market.
He assured that the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry will work with exporters and the private sector to increase utilisation of AGOA and ensure more Kenyan enterprises benefit from preferential access to the US market.
“The Government will continue working with exporters and the private sector to increase utilisation of AGOA and ensure that more Kenyan enterprises and value chains benefit from access to the U.S. market,” Kinyanjui reiterated.
Notably, AGOA provides eligible African countries with preferential access to the US market and has played a significant role in supporting Kenya’s export sectors, with textile and apparel manufacturing among the key beneficiaries.
The extension to 2028 therefore gives Kenyan businesses additional time to consolidate their position in the US market while identifying opportunities in other sectors.
Further, the Government is particularly encouraging greater investment in value addition, where locally available raw materials are processed into higher-value products before export.
Such an approach, according to the CS, is expected to strengthen domestic industries while supporting investment and job creation.
Equally, Kinyanjui added that Kenya should also use the extended trade arrangement to encourage manufacturers and other businesses to develop products capable of meeting international market standards and competing effectively in the US.
He said the Government’s position comes as Kenya seeks to expand its manufacturing base and increase the contribution of exports to economic growth.
Importantly, the CS urged exporters and private-sector players to take advantage of the extended market access by investing in production and exploring new product lines.
“AGOA should therefore serve as a catalyst for Kenya’s industrialisation, value addition, investment and job creation,” Kinyanjui reaffirmed.
He emphasized that the extension is therefore expected to give Kenyan businesses a more predictable trading environment while providing the country with an opportunity to broaden its export basket, strengthen value chains and maximize the benefits of access to the US market.
Meanwhile, for Kenya, the focus now shifts to translating the additional period under AGOA into increased production, diversified exports and greater participation of local enterprises in international trade.
By Nancy Omondi
