President William Ruto secured an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act after discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. The preferential trade deal allows Kenya to export more than 1,800 products to America without tariffs and was set to expire on Sept. 30. Kenya shipped $470 million worth of apparel to the United States in 2024 under the program.
Ruto announced the agreement on Saturday while visiting an affordable housing project in Vihiga County and said both governments would negotiate a broader bilateral trade pact. The Kenya Private Sector Alliance estimates American consumers save up to $250 million annually through lower prices on textiles. The extension provides relief to thousands of Kenyan workers in manufacturing and agriculture who depend on duty-free market access for their livelihoods.
Ruto announced the agreement on Saturday while visiting an affordable housing project in Vihiga County and said both governments would negotiate a broader bilateral trade pact. The Kenya Private Sector Alliance estimates American consumers save up to $250 million annually through lower prices on textiles. The extension provides relief to thousands of Kenyan workers in manufacturing and agriculture who depend on duty-free market access for their livelihoods.
