President William Ruto has held a consultative meeting with representatives of Kenya’s apparel sector to discuss the future of the industry in the wake of the expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

AGOA is a piece of legislation that was approved by the US Congress in May 2000 to assist the economies of sub-Saharan Africa and to improve economic relations between the United States and the region.

Ruto assured stakeholders that the government is working closely with the United States to secure both the extension of AGOA and the establishment of a more permanent trade framework that would guarantee stable and predictable market access for Kenyan exports.

“I briefed stakeholders on my recent discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, where we explored not only the extension of AGOA but also the establishment of a long-term framework,” Ruto stated on Wednesday, October 2, 2025.

“This will go a long way in strengthening our apparel industry, which remains vital to our economy and the livelihoods of thousands of families.”

The president noted that the government is keen on avoiding uncertainty for manufacturers, exporters, and workers who rely heavily on the preferential trade deal. He reassured industry leaders that operations would continue without disruption as negotiations with Washington advance.

“In the meantime, I assured them that operations in the industry will continue without disruption as talks with the U.S. Government proceed with the urgency they deserve,” Ruto said.

AGOA, first enacted in 2000, has been a cornerstone of Kenya’s export-led manufacturing strategy, allowing duty-free access for a wide range of goods into the US market. The apparel industry has been the biggest beneficiary, making Kenya the leading exporter of apparel to the US from Sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2024 alone, the sector earned the country $600 million in export revenue while creating 70,000 direct jobs, according to the president. Industry players say the number of indirect jobs, including those in transport, logistics, and cotton farming, is significantly higher.

Kenya’s export processing zones (EPZs) have grown steadily under AGOA, hosting dozens of firms producing garments for US brands. With the expiry of the trade pact, industry leaders have expressed concern about possible loss of market share, job cuts, and reduced investment if a new arrangement is not put in place quickly.

Ruto’s intervention comes at a critical time when African nations are lobbying the US government for AGOA’s renewal. In recent weeks, trade and foreign affairs officials from Kenya have intensified diplomatic engagements, emphasising the agreement’s role in sustaining industrial growth and fostering US-Africa economic ties.