Kenya targets export diversification as Trump extends AGOA by two years

Jukwaa

📻 Breaking It Down

The extension, signed into law by US President Donald Trump, provides continued preferential access to the American market for Kenyan exporters at a time when the country is seeking to expand its export base and attract investment into manufacturing.

Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the extension provides critical certainty for businesses that depend on access to the US market, particularly Kenya’s textile and apparel industry.

“This is a significant development for Kenya and provides much-needed certainty for exporters, manufacturers and investors who rely on preferential access to the United States market,” Kinyanjui said.

📌 What You Need to Know

The textile and apparel sector remains one of the biggest beneficiaries of AGOA, supporting more than 66,000 direct jobs in Kenya.

But the government now wants the country to use the extended preferential trading window to move beyond garments and increase the number and value of Kenyan products entering the US market.

“Beyond apparel, our focus must now be on using this extended window to expand Kenya’s export basket and increase the range and value of products reaching the U.S. market,” Kinyanjui said.

He identified value-added agricultural products, leather and leather products, pharmaceuticals and manufactured goods as some of the areas where Kenya could increase exports to the United States.

The government will work with exporters and the private sector to increase utilisation of AGOA and ensure more Kenyan businesses and domestic value chains benefit from preferential access to the US market.

Kinyanjui said the extension should not be viewed merely as a continuation of existing trade preferences but as an opportunity to accelerate Kenya’s broader industrial ambitions.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya

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