Kenya is a beneficiary of the AGOA trade preference programme which opens up the US market for Kenyan goods.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a US Trade Act that significantly enhances market access to the US for qualifying Sub-Saharan African countries. AGOA was enacted on 18th May 2000. The Act originally covered the 8-year period from October 2000 to September 2008, but has been extended severally, through legislative amendments, the most recent being extension to 2025.
AGOA accords duty free market access for 1,835 products in addition to the 4,600 items already enjoying duty-free status under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. The newly added products include items such as apparel and footwear, wine, certain motor vehicle components, a variety of agricultural products, chemicals and steel.
Kenya was the first Sub-Saharan African country to qualify for AGOA benefits. Qualification for AGOA preferences is based on a set of conditions contained in the AGOA legislation. In order to qualify and remain eligible for AGOA, each country must be working to improve its rule of law, human rights, and respect for core labor standards.
Sectors with great potential currently being targeted in Kenya include apparel, home décor & personal accessories, processed & specialty foods, flowers, coffee, tea as well as fresh fruits & vegetables.
Visit https://agoa.info for comprehensive information on AGOA, including eligible products, rules of origin as well as trade data by sector and country. You may also contact EPZA AGOA desk on info@epzakenya.com for further information.
