Relief for Kenyan exporters as US extends AGOA to 2028

The move gives Kenyan exporters greater certainty in accessing the lucrative U.S. market, with the textile and apparel sector among the biggest beneficiaries. 

The trade programme gives eligible African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products.

For Kenya, the extension is particularly important for the textile and apparel industry, which supports more than 66-thousand direct jobs.

AGOA was introduced in 2000 and has been extended several times — in 2002, 2004, 2006 and most significantly in 2015, when it was renewed for ten years.

The programme expired in September last year after Congress failed to renew it on time, before being temporarily restored in February this year through December 2026.

The latest extension now gives exporters a longer window to plan and invest. The government says Kenya must use the opportunity to diversify beyond apparel, targeting value-added agricultural products, leather, pharmaceuticals and manufactured goods. The aim is to turn preferential market access into more exports, investment and jobs.