KAM Chief Executive Tobias Alando. Photo/courtesy.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has welcomed a 16 month retrospective extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), saying the renewal will sustain Kenyan exports to the United States and support business continuity for both countries.
In a statement issued Wednesday, KAM said the extension preserves preferential access for Kenyan goods to the US market, helping maintain economic and trade ties between the two nations while businesses realign under the trade partnership.
The US remains one of Kenya’s key trading partners, accounting for about nine per cent of Kenya’s external market. Kenya exported goods worth $788.6 million to the US in 2025, while imports from the US stood at $930.8 million.
KAM noted that AGOA has significantly contributed to economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa by creating jobs, earning foreign exchange and reducing poverty. In Kenya, the programme supports about 68,000 direct jobs and nearly 700,000 dependents.
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The association explained that continued eligibility under AGOA requires beneficiary countries to uphold market-based economic policies, the rule of law, political pluralism and human rights, while removing barriers to US trade and investment and strengthening anti-corruption efforts.
KAM urged both governments to fast track negotiations for a long-term Kenya-US bilateral trade agreement to safeguard gains made under AGOA.
“KAM has been front and center in advocating for AGOA’s extension and appreciates the efforts by the Kenyan government in advancing negotiations,” said KAM Chief Executive Tobias Alando, adding that continued collaboration would ensure sustained mutual benefits for both countries.
AGOA has been a cornerstone of Kenya’s export growth, particularly in manufacturing and textiles, with industry players now pushing for a permanent trade framework to secure future market access.
