Kenya is intensifying efforts to secure a landmark trade agreement with the United States by the close of 2025 while lobbying for a five-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). President William Ruto revealed the plan during an interview at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as reported by Reuters.
Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui stressed that Kenya’s priority is to preserve the preferential access that AGOA grants, telling Reuters that the country wants any deal to safeguard critical export sectors, from textiles to agriculture. He emphasized that finalizing an agreement before AGOA’s expiry is essential to avoid economic disruptions.
The envisaged pact would not only protect Kenya’s traditional exports of tea, coffee, avocados, and apparel but could also broaden into new areas such as mining and fishing. Ruto noted that diversification is central to his government’s long-term vision, as highlighted by Reuters.
AGOA, which currently allows Kenya and other African nations duty-free access to U.S. markets, is set to expire this month. Figures from Ecofin Agency indicate that thousands of Kenyan jobs, particularly in the apparel sector, are tied directly to the program. Officials warn that uncertainty over AGOA’s future threatens both employment and investor confidence.
Analysts told Investing.com that Kenya’s dual strategy, pursuing a bilateral deal while pushing for AGOA renewal, underscores its determination to anchor long-term access to the U.S. market. Still, they caution that progress hinges on U.S. congressional approval, which will ultimately determine the pace and scope of any agreement.
