CS Kinyanjui: Kenya in talks with US on post-AGOA market

Investments CS Lee Kinyanjui (C) with other state and EPZA officials being shown garments at Antex EPZ at the Export Processing Zone in Athi River, Machakos county on February 17, 2026.

The Kenyan government, through President William Ruto, has engaged the United States government to secure a market for its exports beyond the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the two countries were at the final stages of negotiations.

“It’s important to note that a good number of our factories at the Export Processing Zone rely on the US market specifically, the AGOA. Last September, the AGOA expired, but we have been granted a one-year extension, which essentially means it will end in September 2026. Again, we would get into the same uncertainty,” Kinyanjui said.

The CS addressed the press at the EPZ in Athi River, Machakos County, on Tuesday.

He said they would next Monday seek to secure a market beyond AGOA for Kenya to have a bilateral agreement with the US, allowing products made in Kenya to access the US market duty-free.

AGOA is a US trade law that allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export certain goods to the US duty-free.

Kenya’s AGOA eligibility is under review, with concerns raised about intellectual property rights, labour laws and trade practices.

Kinyanjui said the AGOA market had sustained many livelihoods in Kenya.

“In this particular place, nearly 50,000 people are employed directly in Athi River, EPZ. We have various others across the country, and we would like to see an extension of this market,” he said.

The CS, accompanied by Investment Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan, toured Nodor Kenya EPZ, a dartboard and darts manufacturing company, and apparel manufacturers Antex EPZ and MAS Kenya.

They were hosted by EPZA Board chairman Richard Cheruiyot and Chief Executive Officer Richard Omelu.

As of 2025, the EPZ Athi River had created 38,560 direct jobs and licensed and operationalised 106 enterprises. It had registered Sh66.5 billion in cumulative investments and Sh50.1 billion in export earnings.

Kinyanjui said the government was also looking to diversify the country’s exports into Europe and other markets.

He said that through the EPZA programme, they would soon come up with a strategy on how to access markets in Europe, parts of Asia and within Africa, noting that the Africa Free Trade Area is now in motion and Kenya can be the official place where some of the best clothing come from.

“We see huge opportunity markets within Africa, European and also into the US. I also confirm that the incentives which have been put in place by the government including ability for investors to repatriate their profits with no restrictions. Any investor who comes with Sh2billion, Sh3 billion, once he makes his profits, he will be able to repatriate that money without any restrictions, something that isn’t happening in many of the African countries across the continent,” Kinyanjui said.