Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act by the United States House of Representatives, describing it as a critical milestone for Kenya-US trade relations.

In a press statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, CS Kinyanjui announced that the US House of Representatives has passed a bill to extend AGOA for a further three years, ending uncertainty in Kenya’s textile and apparel sector.

“The United States House of Representatives has passed a Bill to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for a further three years, marking a critical milestone in U.S-Africa trade relations,” Kinyanjui stated.

Employment impact

He noted that the extension would particularly benefit Kenya’s textile and apparel industry, which remains one of the largest beneficiaries of the AGOA framework.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, the sector currently employs more than 80,000 people directly and an additional 250,000 indirectly through activities linked to Export Processing Zones (EPZs).

“The uncertainty that had previously engulfed the sector will now give way to renewed confidence and expansion,” he said.

Export diversification plans

The Cabinet Secretary revealed that the government intends to leverage the renewed AGOA window to diversify Kenya’s exports beyond textiles and apparel, with the aim of creating more jobs and generating wealth.

“As a Ministry, we aim to grow exports of additional products under the AGOA framework beyond textiles, ensuring that Kenya fully leverages this opportunity to create jobs and generate wealth,” Kinyanjui stated.

Kinyanjui noted that Kenya’s key exports to the United States currently include textiles and apparel, coffee, tea, horticultural products and tourism services, adding that expanding the country’s export basket remains a core pillar of the government’s broader economic strategy.

“Expanding our export basket remains a key priority and aligns with our broader strategic economic agenda,” the CS added.

Bilateral trade agreement

Kinyanjui also disclosed that Kenya is engaged in discussions on a bilateral trade agreement with the United States that would cover additional sectors beyond AGOA.

“Further, we are in discussions on a bilateral trade agreement that will cover other key sectors and further cement Kenya’s long-standing partnership with the United States,” he said.

He revealed that the issue of enhanced market access featured prominently during President William Ruto’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., where Kenya pushed for expanded opportunities for its exports to the US market.

“During the recent visit by H.E. President William Ruto to Washington, D.C., Kenya’s request for enhanced market access to the U.S. was discussed,” he noted.

The bilateral agreement would provide a more comprehensive framework for trade relations between the two countries, potentially outlasting the time-bound AGOA arrangement.