Kenya Pushes For Trade Pact With US As AGOA Expiry Nears

Kenya has stepped up last-minute negotiations with the United States to secure a reciprocal trade agreement ahead of the looming expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a cornerstone of Africa–US trade relations for more than two decades.

A high-level Kenyan delegation, led by Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, traveled to Washington, D.C., this week for talks with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer. The discussions aimed to safeguard Kenya’s export competitiveness and expand market access at a time when shifting U.S. trade policy is moving away from broad preferential schemes toward bilateral deals.

“Kenya is deeply interested in the commencement of formal negotiations with the United States government. A reciprocal trade agreement is crucial for securing long-term access to the US market for Kenyan products and will provide the stability needed to unlock new investments,” Kinyanjui said after the meeting.

Ambassador Greer welcomed the initiative, noting that the U.S. was committed to building a stronger and more balanced partnership. “We applaud Kenya’s focus on strengthening trade with the United States. Let’s build a partnership that leverages the growth of the manufacturing sector in America while providing a market for Kenyan products that cannot be sourced locally,” he said.

For over 20 years, AGOA has granted African countries duty-free access to U.S. markets, benefiting industries from textiles to agriculture. Kenya, in particular, has become a leading apparel exporter under the programme. In 2024, the country exported US$ 737.3 million (Ksh 95.3 billion) worth of goods to the United States mostly apparel, coffee and tea, according to USTR data.

The urgency for a new agreement has grown after President Donald Trump exempted Kenya from the steep tariff hikes recently imposed on many countries, allowing its exports to continue facing the lowest 10 per cent rate. Still, officials in Nairobi warn that without a long-term deal, the expiry of AGOA could disrupt trade flows and investment.

Kenya has pursued closer ties with Washington since the launch of the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in July 2022. The initiative seeks to boost investment, support small businesses, promote sustainable growth and strengthen Africa’s regional economic integration.

With AGOA’s expiry approaching, the outcome of the current talks is expected to set a precedent not only for Kenya’s future access to the U.S. market but also for how African nations navigate a post-AGOA era increasingly shaped by bilateralism and protectionist trade measures.