Kenya recorded a significant rise in direct employment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2025, with the number of jobs increasing by 22.8 per cent to 82,026, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The figure marks the highest level of direct employment under AGOA over the period shown, rising from 66,008 jobs in 2024.
Employment had stood at 58,000 in 2023 before increasing to 66,026 in 2022. In 2021, the sector supported 50,042 jobs, up from 45,059 in 2020 and 49,049 in 2019.
AGOA, a US legislation approved by Congress, provides eligible African countries with preferential access to the US market for certain products.
The continued growth in direct employment highlights the importance of trade between Kenya and the US, particularly in sectors benefiting from access to the American market.
The rise to more than 82,000 jobs in 2025 also points to the role of export-oriented industries in supporting employment and economic activity in Kenya.
