Kenya has welcomed a proposed extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to December 2028, saying the move would provide greater certainty for exporters and help sustain the country’s duty-free access to the United States market.
In a statement on Thursday, August 27, the State Department for Trade said the proposed extension has already been approved by the US Senate and is awaiting consideration by the House of Representatives.
"The extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is an important opportunity for Kenya to maintain duty-free access to the US market and strengthen trade relations between the two countries," the department said.
According to the Department, AGOA, which lapsed on September 30, 2025, was extended in February 2026 to December 31, 2026.
The US Senate has since approved a further extension to December 31, 2028, subject to approval by the House of Representatives.
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Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam said the proposed extension would give Kenyan exporters greater certainty as they seek to increase their presence in the US market.
"She noted that the continuity would particularly support agricultural exports by maintaining tariff-free access for premium Kenyan products, including cut flowers, tea, coffee and macadamia nuts," the statement added.
Ombam highlighted Kenya’s potential to increase agricultural exports, particularly through key products such as tea, coffee, flowers, nuts and avocados.
She said the country needed to focus on widening market access, adding value to its products, increasing exports and creating more opportunities for farmers and businesses.
"The PS highlighted Kenya’s strong agricultural export potential, particularly in tea, coffee, flowers, nuts and avocados. She stressed the need to expand market access, promote value addition, increase exports and create more opportunities for farmers and businesses," the statement further read.
Ombam also pointed to Kenya’s membership in regional and continental trade blocs as an advantage that could help the country access larger markets and attract more trade and investment.
"She also noted that 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," the statement concluded.
In February, United States President Donald Trump signed a one-year extension to AGOA, in a move that could secure jobs for thousands of Kenyans and billions of shillings for the economy.
The move was confirmed by the United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who noted that the Trump administration would work with Congress this year to update the program to provide more market access for U.S. businesses, farmers and ranchers, and to align with Trump's America First trade policy.
"AGOA for the 21st century must demand more from our trading partners and yield more market access for US businesses, farmers, and ranchers," Greer said in his statement.
Initially, the US House of Representatives had approved an extension of three years, but the Senate whittled it down to one, a development that the House concurred with.
AGOA is a trade initiative passed in 2000 under former US President Bill Clinton, designed to give African products duty-free access to the US market.
AGOA permits eligible countries to ship over 1,800 products to the United States, among them coffee, tea, textiles and apparel that are central to many economies.
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