United States President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), keeping duty-free access for Kenya to the American market alive until December 31, 2026. The extension was signed on May 19, 2026, according to official White House records.
AGOA, originally enacted in 2000, provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products. Kenya is one of the major beneficiaries, with exports including textiles, apparel, and agricultural goods. The extension ensures continued economic benefits for Kenyan exporters and workers.
The proclamation does not change the eligibility criteria or add new countries. It simply extends the existing trade preferences, which were set to expire in September 2025, for an additional 15 months. The move is seen as a boost for U.S.-Africa trade relations amid ongoing negotiations for a post-AGOA framework.
Kenyan officials have welcomed the extension, noting it provides certainty for businesses and investors. The U.S. remains one of Kenya's largest export markets, with AGOA playing a key role in bilateral trade.
