Kenya is set to sign a new trade agreement with the United States by December, President William Ruto has revealed. Speaking during an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Ruto said the deal would act as a safety net against the uncertain future of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
AGOA, a 25-year-old duty-free pact that allows qualifying African countries to export goods to the U.S., is due to expire in September 2025. The uncertainty has raised concerns in Kenya, where over 66,000 jobs depend on the agreement.
Ruto confirmed that while Kenya is working on a bilateral deal with Washington, it is still lobbying for a minimum five-year AGOA extension. “It is a platform that connects Africa and the U.S. in a very fundamental way, and it can go a long way in solving trade deficits and challenges,” he said.
At home, the National Assembly has called for the urgent extension of AGOA. A motion tabled by Laikipia MP Jane Kagiri highlighted the act’s vital role in boosting exports, creating employment, and sustaining livelihoods. Women, who make up 75% of direct beneficiaries, are among the most vulnerable if the pact lapses, as their incomes support education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
Lawmakers approved the motion urging Kenya and the U.S. to extend AGOA until 2041, safeguarding economic gains and promoting long-term stability. They also recommended a two-year transition period to allow for the development of a new trade deal in case AGOA is not renewed.
If successful, Kenya’s push could provide certainty for businesses and workers while strengthening trade ties with Washington at a time when global economic shifts are forcing countries to seek secure bilateral arrangements.
