Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is seeking extension of AGOA agreement as global leaders congregate and engage in talks and negotiations, at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, United States (U.S.).
Kenya’s private sector also seeks to push for key priorities including dependable energy, strong health systems, efficient logistics, and inclusive digital access that empowers SMEs as well as large corporations.
At the high-level Kenya-US Investment Forum held on 22nd September 2025, KEPSA, in partnership with the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), and the Government of Kenya representatives were keen on the advancement of Kenya–U.S. trade relations, more investment and economic collaboration, particularly the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The Kenya private sector delegation comprised of the KEPSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Carole Kariuki, KEPSA’s Chair Jas Bedi, Vice Chair Brenda Mbathi, as well as Safaricom and KCB Bank CEOs.
Speaking during the panel discussion on ‘Financing Ecosystem for Investment Projects in Kenya’, Kariuki noted that AGOA has been the single most effective U.S. policy tool in Africa over the last 25 years where it has supported industries, created jobs, and transformed lives.
“In 2024, Kenya exported $470 million worth of apparel to the U.S., supporting 66,800 direct jobs – three-quarters of them women making nearly 800,000 livelihoods dependent on AGOA,” revealed Kariuki in a press statement.
For America, AGOA delivers $200–250 million in annual consumer savings by keeping costs low for everyday products like jeans and uniforms, new supply chains at a time when diversification from China is a national priority.
This also provides strategic stability in Sub-Saharan Africa – ensuring that economic growth minimizes conflict and extremist vulnerabilities, and jobs in America with regard to logistics, retail, and distribution of African imports.
KEPSA also called for the renewal of the AGOA agreement for a period of 16 years or at least allow a two-year transition window to facilitate negotiation of a trade deal between Kenya and the US.
Therefore, this will safeguard jobs for both Kenya and the US, and further ensure trade continuity, maintain investor confidence, and deepen U.S.-Kenya ties beyond AGOA.
President William Ruto too has been pursuing the AGOA extension with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
During the forum on Monday, President Ruto also underscored that Kenya is open and ready for business.
Commending the strong partnership that exist between Kenya and the United States, the president highlighted Kenya’s solid fundamentals, including low inflation, stable exchange rates, dependable connectivity, green energy, a growing digital market, and world-class talent.
It is worth noting that, as Africa’s sixth-largest economy, Kenya offers access to a $3.5 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a natural gateway to East and Central Africa and to a market of about 1.4 billion people.
As home to over 150 American firms and landmark U.S.-backed projects in clean energy and technology, Kenya is positioned as Africa’s preferred hub for trade, finance, and innovation and doubles up as a natural gateway to the continent with access to massive markets via its apparel sourcing industry.
Similarly, Kenya’s ‘Silicon Savannah’ has attracted over $300 million in tech investment, supported by 44M+ mobile broadband users, a booming fintech sector, and a dynamic BPO industry.
In renewable energy, Kenya already generates 90 percent of its electricity from green sources, aiming for 100 percent by 2030.
by Michael Omondi
