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 duty-free access to the United States market.
The State Department for Trade said the proposed extension has been approved by the US Senate and is now awaiting consideration by the House of Representatives.
The department said retaining AGOA would strengthen Kenya-US trade relations while supporting Kenyan businesses seeking to expand their presence in the American market.
What the proposed AGOA extension means for Kenya
AGOA is a US trade programme that allows eligible African countries to export thousands of products to the American market without paying import duties.
The programme, which was enacted in 2000 under former US President Bill Clinton, was designed to promote trade and investment between the United States and African countries.
AGOA expired on September 30, 2025, before being extended in February 2026 to December 31, 2026.
The latest proposal approved by the US Senate would extend the programme further to December 31, 2028, although it still requires approval by the House of Representatives.
Kenya’s State Department for Trade said the additional extension would help businesses plan their exports with greater confidence.
Agriculture among sectors expected to benefit
Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam said continuity under AGOA would be particularly important for Kenya’s agricultural exporters.
She pointed to products such as cut flowers, tea, coffee, macadamia nuts and avocados as areas where Kenya has significant potential to increase exports to the United States.
Duty-free access allows Kenyan exporters to compete more effectively in the US market by reducing the costs associated with tariffs.
Ombam said Kenya should use the opportunity not only to maintain existing exports but also to increase the volume and value of products shipped to international markets.
She emphasised the need to expand market access, promote value addition and create more opportunities for farmers and businesses.
For agricultural producers, greater access to international markets can create new demand for locally produced goods and potentially increase incomes along the supply chain.
Kenya seeks to expand global market access
The government also sees Kenya’s membership in regional and continental trade blocs as an advantage in its efforts to expand exports.
Ombam highlighted Kenya’s participation in the East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
These arrangements give Kenyan businesses access to wider regional markets while strengthening the country’s position as a potential gateway for trade and investment into Africa.
The government is also pushing for greater value addition so that Kenya exports more processed and finished products instead of primarily shipping raw materials.
The strategy is intended to increase the value earned from exports while creating additional jobs and business opportunities.
AGOA’s importance to Kenya-US trade
The proposed extension comes months after US President Donald Trump signed a one-year extension of AGOA in February 2026.
The move was confirmed by United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who said the Trump administration would work with Congress to update the programme and increase market access for US businesses, farmers and ranchers.
Greer also indicated that any future version of AGOA would need to align with the administration’s broader trade policy.
The initial proposal in the US House of Representatives had sought a three-year extension, but the Senate reduced the period to one year before the House agreed to the shorter extension.
The latest Senate approval for an extension to 2028 would therefore provide another opportunity to maintain the preferential trade arrangement.
AGOA currently covers more than 1,800 products, including agricultural goods, textiles and apparel.
For Kenya, maintaining duty-free access to the US market remains important for exporters and businesses whose operations depend on international demand.
The proposed extension will, however, only take effect if it receives final approval through the US legislative process.
