By Robai Ludenyi
Kenya is on the verge of making history as it pushes to become the first sub-Saharan African country to sign a bilateral trade agreement with the United States.
President William Ruto, speaking during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, said the deal could be finalized by the end of this year. This would mark a major milestone in Kenya’s trade relations and open up new doors for local products in the world’s largest economy.
President Ruto revealed that discussions with U.S. officials have made “good progress” and that Kenya is targeting key exports such as tea, coffee, avocados, textiles, and even new sectors like mining and fishing. “We want better access to the U.S. market for our products,” Ruto said, adding that the agreement would deepen trade and create more jobs at home.
At the same time, Ruto is pushing for the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. law that allows duty-free exports from eligible African countries. AGOA, which has benefited Kenya for years, is set to expire soon unless renewed by the U.S. Congress. The President is lobbying for at least a five-year extension, saying the program has been a “critical bridge” connecting Africa and the U.S. through trade.
But the future of AGOA remains uncertain. A bipartisan effort to extend it last year stalled in Congress. And with the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House in January, there are fresh concerns. Trump’s previous administration leaned heavily on tariff-based trade policies, which could affect Africa’s export advantages under AGOA. The president is scheduled to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make Kenya’s case for AGOA renewal and the new trade deal.
While Kenya strengthens ties with the U.S., Ruto also reminded the world that Kenya already enjoys solid trade relations with China, which recently removed tariffs on all Kenyan agricultural products. This means Kenya is strategically positioning itself between two global superpowers to grow its economy and secure more opportunities for local farmers, manufacturers, and exporters.
If successful, the U.S. deal could unlock billions in trade and make Kenya a key gateway for American businesses looking to invest in Africa.
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The author is Robai Ludenyi. Journalist and Media Innovator