Trade PS Regina Ombam/HANDOUTKenya has welcomed a proposed extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to December 31, 2028.
In a statement, the Ministry of Trade said the move would provide greater certainty for exporters and strengthen trade relations between Kenya and the United States.
Principal Secretary Regina Ombam said the extension presents an important opportunity for Kenya to maintain duty-free access to the US market and expand the presence of Kenyan products.
AGOA, which provides eligible African countries with preferential access to the US market, lapsed on September 30, 2025, before being extended in February 2026 to December 31, 2026.
"The US Senate has since approved a further extension to 31 December 2028, pending approval by the House of Representatives," the statement said.
PS Ombam said continued access under AGOA would give Kenyan exporters greater certainty as they plan and expand their operations in the US market.
She particularly highlighted the importance of the arrangement to Kenya's agricultural sector.
"The continuity would particularly support agricultural exports by maintaining tariff-free access for premium Kenyan products, including cut flowers, tea, coffee and macadamia nuts," she said.
The PS spoke on Thursday in Nairobi during the Kenya-US Agriculture, Trade and Investment Roundtable organised through the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).
The meeting brought together senior US agricultural leaders and representatives from Kenya's public and private sectors to discuss opportunities for deeper cooperation between the two countries.
Discussions focused on agriculture, trade and investment, value addition, market access, food systems and opportunities for enhanced collaboration between Kenya and the United States.
Ombam said Kenya had significant potential to increase its agricultural exports, particularly in tea, coffee, flowers, nuts and avocados.
She called for greater market access and increased investment in value addition as part of efforts to grow exports and create more opportunities for farmers and businesses.
The PS said expanding value addition would enable Kenyan producers and exporters to capture greater value from agricultural products while strengthening the country's position in international markets.
She also pointed to Kenya's membership in regional and continental trade blocs as an advantage in expanding its commercial reach.
"Kenya’s participation in the EAC, COMESA and AfCFTA gives the country access to wider markets and strengthens its position as a gateway for trade and investment in Africa," she stated.
She said the arrangements also strengthen Kenya's position as a gateway for trade and investment into Africa.
The PS also reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to promoting climate-resilient agriculture and developing sustainable and competitive agricultural value chains.
The proposed AGOA extension comes as Kenya continues to pursue stronger trade and investment ties with the United States.
According to the 2025 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey, apparel exports under AGOA rose 19 per cent to Sh60.6 billion in 2024, from Sh50.8 billion in 2023.
The sector supports more than 66,000 direct jobs, particularly in EPZs, making the US market a major source of employment and foreign exchange for Kenya.
