Nairobi, Kenya – Sept 26, 2025 – The National Assembly has urged for the urgent extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), warning of severe economic disruptions if the trade framework expires next year without renewal.
In a motion sponsored by Hon. Jane Kagiri (Laikipia), lawmakers from across the political divide underscored AGOA’s role in creating jobs, supporting exports, and sustaining livelihoods, particularly for women.
“Women comprise approximately 75 percent of the direct beneficiaries of AGOA, and their incomes directly support education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation,” Kagiri told Parliament, while calling for a 16-year extension of the trade pact. She also proposed a two-year transition period in case of non-renewal, to give time for new trade frameworks to be developed.
The current AGOA extension, granted in 2015, is set to expire in September 2025.
Several MPs pressed President William Ruto, who is on an official visit to the United States, to prioritize discussions on AGOA with U.S. leaders.
Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka), Chair of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, stressed that AGOA has been crucial in poverty alleviation and regional growth. “The termination of AGOA would affect not just Kenya but the entire Sub-Saharan region. Bilateral agreements must be strengthened to ensure continuity,” he said.
Other MPs echoed similar sentiments. Hon. Catherine Omanyo said Africa would suffer heavily without the extension, while Hon. Owen Baya (Kilifi North) noted that AGOA has boosted Kenya’s industrial output through the Export Processing Zones (EPZ), creating thousands of jobs.
Hon. John Waluke (Sirisia) appealed directly to U.S. leadership: “We plead with the President of the United States, Hon. Trump, to consider the extension so that Kenya does not suffer.”
Since its enactment in 2000, AGOA has opened U.S. markets to African exports, expanded trade, increased investment, and strengthened governance across Sub-Saharan Africa. Lawmakers emphasized that extending the programme would be a “win-win” for both regions, securing Kenyan livelihoods while supporting U.S. supply chain diversification and stronger bilateral ties under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
What AGOA Means for Kenya
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a U.S. trade policy enacted in 2000 to give eligible Sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the American market.
Kenya has been one of its biggest beneficiaries, particularly through the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) where textiles, apparel, and leather goods are produced for export to the U.S.
Jobs: Over 50,000 Kenyans, most of them women, are directly employed in EPZ industries, while hundreds of thousands benefit indirectly through supply chains.
Exports: The United States is one of Kenya’s top export destinations, with AGOA enabling products such as textiles, apparel, tea, coffee, and handicrafts to access the market competitively.
Economic Impact: According to the Ministry of Trade, AGOA has contributed billions of shillings in export earnings, spurred foreign investment, and supported industrial growth.
The current extension of AGOA, granted in 2015, is set to expire in September 2025. Lawmakers warn that non-renewal would disrupt industries, threaten jobs, and roll back gains made in poverty alleviation.
AGOA has also strengthened U.S.-Africa ties, with advocates arguing its continuation supports both regions through supply chain diversification and deeper trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
